A man has been charged after allegedly high-range drink-driving with a young child in the car in the Sutherland Shire yesterday.
About 12.20am (Tuesday 5 January 2021), police received reports from a member of the public that a Mini Cooper was being driven in a dangerous manner on the Princes Highway between Waterfall and Heathcote.
Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped the car a short time later in Engadine and spoke to the 36-year-old driver who was accompanied by a seven-year-old girl, in the back seat.
The man was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station, where a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.175.
The man was charged with drive with high-range PCA and his licence was suspended. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 18 February 2021.
Alternative care arrangements were made for the girl and a child at risk notification was made.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty, praised the actions of the member of the public who reported the driver and has encouraged other road users to report dangerous driving.
"I applaud the person who reported this incident as their actions have potentially helped save lives," said Acting Assistant Commissioner Hegarty.
"It's always concerning to see people get behind the wheel when they've been drinking, especially when there are children's lives at risk."
"This is the second incident in two days, in the same area, where someone has been allegedly caught driving dangerously with a child in the car. These actions are irresponsible and selfish."
In a separate incident yesterday, a 37-year-old man was also charged with high-range PCA in Coffs Harbour.
About 7.20pm (Tuesday 5 January 2021), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Officers saw a Nissan Patrol being driven dangerously on Bray Street, Coffs Harbour.
Officers stopped the car a short distance away and the driver was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result.
He was arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station, where a subsequent breath analysis returned an allegedly reading of 0.233.
The man was charged with high-range PCA, and dangerous driving; and his licence was suspended.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday 1 February 2021.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty is reminding motorists that police, with the help of road users, are always on the look-out for dangerous driving across NSW.
"You are being watched across suburban, country and city streets – and you will be caught if you're driving dangerously or under the influence," Acting Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said.
"If you see driving that's concerning, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. We take every report seriously and in strict confidence. We will take action."
