More than 7000 drivers will face enforcement action following a statewide traffic operation over the weekend.
New South Wales Police have issued over 7000 infringements during Operation RAID.
Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) commenced at 12am on Thursday (3 September 2026) and concluded at 4am on Sunday (6 September 2026), targeting people driving while affected by alcohol, drugs, and fatigue.
During the operation, police conducted 6420 drug tests with 774 people returning positive samples and conducted more than 162,027 breath tests with 212 drink driving offences detected.
While the operation focused on detecting drivers operating a vehicle impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue, the high-visibility operation saw police across the state issue more than 7113 traffic infringement notices, including 2251 for speed-related offences, 344 for mobile phone use, and 106 restraint-related offences.
Two people lost their lives on NSW roads.
Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Paul Scully said these numbers represent potential lives saved.
"Operation RAID is about finding impaired drivers and getting them off the roads.
"There is simply no excuse for driving impaired. It is selfish, it is dangerous and the consequences can last a life time.
"Road safety is everyone's responsibility, and NSW Police are doing their part every day to keep people safe."
Assistant Commissioner David Driver, Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, said officers were prominent stopping thousands of vehicles across the weekend.
"Concerningly, we found 212 drivers to be driving well beyond the legal blood alcohol limit and 774 who tested positive to roadside drug tests," Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
"Those drivers could have gone on to cause tragedies in their communities.
"The message is simple: People need to understand their legal and moral obligation when they get behind the wheel and not put others at risk.
"We're not just apprehending drivers impacted by drugs, alcohol, or fatigue during this operation, our officers will continue to be out there every day and night working to prevent deaths and serious injury on NSW roads."
Incidents of note:
At about 2.45pm on Thursday 3 September 2026, officers attached to Orange Highway Patrol were patrolling the Burrendong Way, near Mumbil, when they approached a Mercedes sedan parked on the motorway shoulder. Police spoke to the driver – a 19-year-old man - and conducted a roadside drug test, which allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine. Further inquiries determined the man was a disqualified driver. The man was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for drive with illicit drug present in oral fluid. He is due to appear at Orange Local Court on Thursday 22 October 2026. The man's licence was also disqualified.
On Thursday 3 September 2026, Police attached to Bankstown Highway Patrol were conducting stationary roadside breath tests on the Hume Highway, Villawood. At about 9.30pm, an 18-year-old man riding an unregistered trail bike with no helmet approached the area. Officers standing in the area attempted to stop the rider, however he allegedly failed to stop as directed. A short time later, the rider crashed into a parked patrol vehicle and was arrested. The man was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he underwent mandatory testing, allegedly returning a positive result for cannabis. The man was charged with use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road, use uninsured motor vehicle on road, motor bike rider (alone) not wear or secure fit approved helmet, negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm), not obey direction of police or authorised person, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous. He was refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Friday 4 September 2026.
At about 9.30am on Friday 4 September 2026, emergency services were called to a crash on Angels Beach Drive, Ballina. Upon arrival, officers attached to Tweed/Byron Highway Patrol breath tested the driver – a 47-year-old woman - of one of the vehicles, allegedly returning a positive result. The woman was taken to Ballina Police Station where she underwent further testing, allegedly returning a result of 0.240. The woman was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for drive with high range PCA and drive, licence suspended under s 66 Fines Act. She is due to appear in Ballina Local Court on Thursday 1 October 2026. Her licence was also suspended.
At about 11.30am on Friday 4 September 2026, officers attached to Deniliquin Highway Patrol were travelling on the Newell Highway, Finley, when they stopped an e-scooter travelling on the highway shoulder. The rider – a 34-year-old woman – was found to not have a driver's licence. The woman was subject to a roadside breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result. She was arrested and taken to Finley Police Station where she underwent further testing, allegedly returning a reading of 0.036. The woman also allegedly tested positive for cannabis. She was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for never licensed person drive vehicle on road, special category driver drive with special range PCA, and owner drive unregistered vehicle on road or road related area. She is due to appear before Finley Local Court on Tuesday 24 November 2026.
Regional statistics:
Northern Region
Total infringements: 1781
Speed infringements: 649
Breath tests: 27,622
PCA charges: 76
Drug tests: 1629
Positive drug-driving tests: 249
Major crashes: 69
Fatalities: nil
Southern Region
Total infringements: 1418
Speed infringements: 596
Breath tests: 27,357
PCA charges: 30
Drug tests: 1071
Positive drug-driving tests: 189
Major crashes: 23
Fatalities: nil
Western Region
Total infringements: 667
Speed infringements: 313
Breath tests: 12,349
PCA charges: 25
Drug tests: 602
Positive drug-driving tests: 91
Major crashes: 18
Fatalities: 2
