One person has died after a fatal crash overnight and police continue to see dangerous behaviour on the roads, despite an increased police presence, during Day One of Operation Safe Arrival, NSW Police say.
About 2.30am (Saturday 16 December 2017) a Holden Commodore was travelling on Stony Creek Road, Mt Druitt, after it veered off the roadway and hit a tree. The driver, a 28-year-old man, died at the scene.
On day one of the campaign there were 36 people injured in 78 major crashes reported state-wide. There were over 1410 speeding infringements issued, 576 more than the same time last year.
"That single figure might sound small but that is one place at a Christmas table that will be empty this year." Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.
NSW Police are reminding road users to take extra care and ‘slow down’ on Day One of Operation Safe Arrival.
Operation Safe Arrival, the State’s Christmas and New Year road safety campaign, started at 12.01am on Friday 15 December, and will continue until 11.59pm on Monday 1 January 2018.
There are more police on roads targeting drivers for dangerous behaviours that may result in loss of life on our roads, including; speeding, drink and drug-driving, mobile phone use, and not wearing seatbelts, and double demerits apply throughout the duration of the operation.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, said
personal responsibility is the key to road safety in NSW.
"We urge all those on our roads over the School Holiday, Christmas and New Year period to help us keep everyone safe on NSW roads," Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.
Some examples of dangerous driver behaviour detected during Day One of Operation Safe Arrival include,
A 54-year old man was charged with high range PCA after he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.222 after being stopped in Georges Hall. He was issued a field court attendance notice for high range PCA and his driver’s licence was suspended.
About 9.30am on Friday (15 December 2017), a 17-year-old male teenager, a P1 provisional driver from Merrylands, after he was allegedly caught speeding at 109km/h in a 50km/h zone on Warwick Road, Merrylands. His licence was confiscated and suspended. He was issued an infringement notice for speeding more than 45km/h.
About 3pm on Friday (15 December 2017) a 42-year-old male rider from Cecil Hills, was stopped on the Cumberland Highway, Merrylands West, after he was allegedly caught speeding at 120km/h in a 70km/h zone.
Just after midnight on Saturday (16 December 2017) a 36-year-old male rider from Fairfield, was stopped on Merrylands Road, Merrylands, after he was allegedly caught speeding at 122km/h in a 60km/h zone. His licence was confiscated and suspended. He was issued an infringement notice for speeding more than 45km/h.
About 3.30am on Saturday (16 December 2018) police were called after a 31-year-old male driver left the roadway, went through a fence and then crashed into a house on Mendelssohn Avenue, Emerton. He was charged with high range PCA after he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.239. His licence was suspended. He is due to appear at Mt Druitt Local court on Wednesday 17 January 2018.
About 6.45am on Friday (15 December 2017) a 25-year-old male driver from Auburn, was stopped on the M1 Motorway, Cowan, after he was caught allegedly speeding at 175km/h in a 110km/h zone. His licence was confiscated and suspended. He was issued an infringement notice for speeding more than 45km/h.
About 8am on Friday (15 December 2017) a 26-year-old male driver was stopped driving a Mitsubishi Lancer on the Cumberland Highway, Woodpark, Enquiries revealed the man was currently disqualified until 2020 and allegedly has two outstanding warrants. He was arrested and taken to Merrylands Police Station where he was charged with Drive whilst disqualified and two outstanding warrants. He was refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 9 February 2018.
Key statistics (Cumulative total):
Total infringements issued: 2033
Speed infringements: 1410
Breath tests: 38020
Drink-driving charges: 16
Major crashes: 79
Lives lost: 1
