A man has died after his car crashed in Khancoban in the Snowy Mountains region, taking the road toll to four over the October long weekend.
About 10am today (Monday 7 October 2019), police were called to Spillway Road, Khancoban after a vehicle was found by a passer-by after leaving the road and hitting a tree. The 76-year-old driver, and sole occupant, died at the scene.
Officers from Riverina Police District established a crime scene and will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.
This follows a weekend where three other persons were killed in motor vehicle crashes and NSW Police issued 1,165 speeding infringements and 42 people were charged with drink driving on day three of Operation Slow Down.
With the long weekend road toll now at four, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, Traffic & Highway Patrol Commander, says it is disappointing people continue to risk theirs and others safety while behind the wheel.
"Unfortunately, four people have died on the roads in three days. While most people are doing the right thing, it is frustrating to see people continue to drink and drive or speed, despite our continued appeals.
"It is frustrating for Police to see so many motorists doing the wrong thing when we are doing so much to get the message out to drivers about personal accountability.
"While we will continue to stop those motorists, we need this to be a combined effort with all road users."
Police also discovered many unlicensed drivers behind the wheel, including a motorcycle rider disqualified until 2030. He was stopped on Parramatta Road in Croydon, allegedly travelling 80km/h in a 60 zone.
The 22-year-old driver was charged with class A motor vehicle exceed speed and drive motor vehicle while licence suspended (second offence). He was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 5 November 2019.
Another motorcycle rider was issued a future court attendance notice after being detected allegedly travelling 129km/h in a 50 zone about 5pm on Sunday (6 October 2019) in Woodbine.
The 23-year-old male rider's licence was suspended, and he was charged with drive recklessly/ furiously or speed/ manner dangerous and class A motor vehicle exceed speed (greater than 45 km/h). He will appear in Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday 29 October 2019.
Further examples of inappropriate driver behaviours over day three (Sunday 6 October) and early today during (Monday 7 October 2019) of Operation Slow Down include;
- A 30-year-old woman was issued several infringement notices when she was stopped on Meadowland Road, Peakhurst by St George Highway Patrol officers about 5.30pm on Sunday (6 October 2019). She was subjected to road side testing that returned positive to methamphetamine and cannabis. The vehicle registration was expired, and officers also observed two unrestrained children inside the vehicle. She was also not displaying P Plates. She was issued a direction not to drive for 24 hours due to positive oral fluid.
- Just after midnight today (Monday 7 October 2019), a 35-year-old male driving a Toyota Hilux was stopped by officers attached to South Coast Police District on the Princes Highway in Ulladulla. He returned a positive roadside breath test and later returned a breath analysis of 0.184 at Ulladulla Police Station. He was issued a field court attendance notice for high range PCA to appear in Milton Local Court next month.
- About 12.30am today (Monday 7 October 2019), officers attached to The Hills Highway Patrol detected a vehicle allegedly travelling at 160km/h in a 100km zone. The 21-year-old male P2 driver was issued an infringement for exceed speed over 45km/h and had his licence suspended for six months.
- About 1.50am today (Monday 7 October 2019), Fairfield Highway Patrol officers were conducting a stationary radar on Cowpasture Road in Bossley Park when they detected a vehicle allegedly exceeding the 70km speed limit, driving at 161km/h. The 17-year-old male driver was issued an infringement for travelling in excess of 45km/h and his P1 licence was suspended and confiscated.
Key statistics (progressive total):
Speed infringements: 3,466
Breath tests: 139,618
PCA charges: 159
Major crashes: 242
Fatalities: 4
