Police are urging motorists to stay alert and take extreme care following a tragic start to this Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Operation Stay Alert, the police traffic operation for the Queen’s Birthday weekend, began at 12.01am yesterday and runs until 11.59pm on Monday evening (13 June 2016), NSW Police say.
Officers are targeting motorists who exhibit the five factors that commonly contribute to fatalities: speeding, impairment by alcohol or drugs, distraction by electronic devices, fatigue and not wearing seatbelts.
On day one of the operation yesterday, 30 people were allegedly caught drink-driving across the state.
Police have issued 1478 speeding tickets, which is 414 more than this time last year.
Two people have died on our roads over this long weekend, compared to one last year.
About 1.35am yesterday, a 45-year-old man died after his vehicle, which had stopped on Henry Parks Road, near Orange, was allegedly hit by a passing truck.
A 14-year-old boy died just after midnight today, when the car he was travelling in crashed at Munghorn, near Mudgee.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the long weekend is a chance for people to relax but he urges motorists to remain alert and drive with care.
"I urge everyone to take care, drive responsibly, respect other motorists and obey the road rules.
"Staying alert is the key – do not drink and drive, put down the mobile phone, ensure you are well-rested, and ensure you can control your vehicle," he said.
"As a motorist, your focus should always be on the road; not on the mobile phone, GPS, music or any other distraction. It only takes a split-second for a life to change forever.
Officers will be conducting high visibility patrols, mobile and stationary random breath tests and random drug tests.
Double demerit points will be in force and apply for all speeding, seat belt and motorcycle helmet offences during this period.
Incidents of interest include:
CAMPBELLTOWN:
A man has been charged after police stopped him for a random breath test in Campbelltown about 10.20am yesterday. The man was stopped on Greengate Road, and following a number of checks police also determined the man was disqualified from driving. Police also allegedly located cannabis within the vehicle.
QUAKERS HILL:
About 4.10pm yesterday, police stopped a P-plate driver on Stanhope Parkway, The Ponds, after allegedly detecting the car speeding. Subsequent checks revealed the vehicle’s registration had expired. The driver was arrested after he returned a positive breath test. He was issued with a court attendance notice for low range PCA, as well as being issued with tickets for exceeding the speed limit by 45km/h and use unregistered vehicle. His licence was suspended for six months.
LAKE MACQUARIE:
A 24-year-old man was arrested near Lake Macquarie after police allegedly detected his car speeding on Elizabeth Bay Drive about 2.25am yesterday. The vehicle allegedly reached speeds of 120km/h in a 50km/h zone. The man was stopped and arrested. He was charged with speeding and also had two outstanding warrants. He will appear in Wyong Local Court on Monday 25 July 2016.
WOLLONGONG:
A 21-year-old man was charged with a number of offences after he allegedly led police on a pursuit through Wollongong. About 11.20pm yesterday, police tried to stop a Holden Commodore on the Hume Highway, however the driver allegedly accelerated away. The pursuit was terminated, and some time later police located the vehicle near Picton Road. Officers arrested the 21-year-old male driver and he was charged with Skye’s Law pursuit offences, refuse breath test and numerous other offences. His licence was suspended.
GOULBURN:
A 25-year-old woman had her licence suspended after she was allegedly detected speeding on the Hume Highway, Marulan, about 8.30am yesterday. She was issued with traffic infringement notices for not displaying P-plates and not complying with police direction to pull over.
