NSW Police are frustrated some drivers are not getting the message, after eight people died and close to 70 others were injured on our state's roads over the long weekend.
Operation Labour Day was executed state-wide and commenced at 12.01am on Friday 30 September 2022 and concluded at 11.59pm yesterday (Monday 3 October 2022), with double demerit point in force for the duration.
Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were assisted by general duties police from commands across the state, targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phone use, and other traffic offences.
During the operation, police issued a total of 3,310 Traffic Infringement Notices for speeding, a further 269 people were charged for drink driving offences and 251 people were issued infringements for mobile phone usage.
Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King, said although the operation is over, families continue to travel around the state with school holidays and are urged to plan their trips.
"Just because the operation has concluded, doesn't mean the messaging is any different. We still need people to obey the road rules and take necessary breaks to keep themselves and the rest of the community safe," Acting Assistant Commissioner King said
"There is expected to be more inclement weather this coming week, so please heed the warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and NSW State Emergency Service, and drive to the conditions.
"Do not drive through flood waters and always obey road closure signs when you see them, they are there for your own protection. We have seen too many incidents recently involving people ignoring warning signs, resulting in a tragic outcome.
"While a detour may be inconvenient, it is not worth your life – listen to emergency services and do not attempt to drive through any flooded causeway, you have no clue how deep the water may be or what debris may be underneath," Acting Assistant Commissioner King said.
Incidents of note include;
- About 5.10am on Friday (30 September 2022), a Toyota Camry was stopped on Burns Bay Road, Hunters Hill, after it allegedly overtook an unmarked police vehicle at 110km/hr in a 60km/h zone. Police spoke to the driver – a 36-year-old man – who told police he had never held a driver's licence. He was charged with never licensed person drive vehicle on road and class C motor vehicle exceed speed over 30km/h. The man is due to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday 1 November 2022.
- Just after 12am on Sunday (2 October 2022), officers from The Hume Police District stopped a Mercedes sedan on Mary Street, Goulburn, after they observed it swerving through lanes. The driver – a 46-year-old man – returned a positive roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to Goulburn Police Station. He allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.206 and was charged with high range PCA and drive whilst disqualified. The man was refused bail and appeared before Wollongong Local Court later the same day.
- About 7.30am on Sunday, police detected a Suzuki sedan travelling at 115km/hr in a 60km/hr zone along the Great Western Hwy, Blaxland. Police stopped the vehicle and issued the driver with an infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h, coupled with a six-month license suspension notice. The 34-year-old man spat on the notices before tossing them out of the car window. His aggressive behaviour continued, which resulted in him receiving another penalty notice for offensive language.
- About 7.30pm on Sunday, police observed a Holden Commodore travelling south on Granite Street, Port Macquarie, travelling at 101km/hr in a 50km/hr zone. Police stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver – a 41-year-old man – who returned a positive roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to Port Macquarie Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.178. He was issued a court attendance notice for high range PCA and exceed speed, due to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday 23 November 2022.
- About 10.15am on Monday (3 October 2022), Parkes Highway Patrol stopped a motorcycle on Lachlan Valley Way, Lake Cargelligo, after it was detected travelling 170km/hr in a 110km/hr zone. The rider provided police with a learners permit which had been disqualified. Further checks revealed the motorcycle registration had expired. The man was issued a court attendance notice for the offences.
- Officers from Glen Innes Highway Patrol stopped a Nissan Navara on the Gwydir Highway at Glen Elgin about 4.10pm on Monday, after it was detected travelling 114km/hr in a 90km/hr zone. The 21-year-old man provided a positive result to a random drug test, the results of which will undergo further analysis. Checks also revealed he held a P1 licence. He was issued a Traffic Infringement for P1 over 20km/hr.
Key statistics (statewide totals);
• Speed infringements: 3,310
• Breath tests: 104,245
• PCA: 269
• Major crashes: 273
• Fatalities: 8
****************************************
Further region breakdown:
CENTRAL METRO:
• Speed infringements: 311
• Breath tests: 17,986
• PCA: 45
• Major crashes: 52
• Fatalities: 0
SOUTH WEST METRO:
• Speed infringements: 448
• Breath tests: 15,759
• PCA: 34
• Major crashes: 65
• Fatalities: 0
NORTH WEST METRO:
• Speed infringements: 381
• Breath tests: 18,170
• PCA: 44
• Major crashes: 48
• Fatalities: 2
NORTHERN:
• Speed infringements: 827
• Breath tests: 20,452
• PCA: 76
• Major crashes: 58
• Fatalities: 2
SOUTHERN:
• Speed infringements: 769
• Breath tests: 18,021
• PCA: 39
• Major crashes: 35
• Fatalities: 3
WESTERN:
• Speed infringements: 574
• Breath tests: 12,764
• PCA: 31
• Major crashes: 15
• Fatalities: 1
