The Traffic and Highway Patrol Command has praised the behaviour of road-users across the state over the long weekend.
Operation October Long Weekend 2021 commenced at 12.01am on Friday (1 October 2021) and concluded at 11.59pm yesterday (Monday 4 October 2021).
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty, said police were encouraged to see that the majority of motorists following the road rules over the long weekend.
"There were less cars on the road than previous years because of current stay-at-home orders, and the vast majority of those who were out, drove safely," Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said," Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said.
"With the rest of NSW preparing to re-open next week, police are urging all road users to continue to be patient, drive to the conditions and look out for others, to ensure everyone makes it safely to and from their destinations."
Five people died in crashes over the long weekend. To date this year, 209 people have lost their lives on NSW roads, compared to 225 for the same time last year.
Across the state, police issued 3,789 speed infringements, laid 187 drink-driving charges, attended 193 major crashes, and conducted 32,577 breath tests.
Incidents of note include:
- Just before 10pm on Friday (1 October 2021), officers from New England Police District stopped a Honda Civic on Donnelly Street at Armidale, for the purpose of a random breath test. The driver – a 22-year-old man – allegedly returned a positive result and was arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station, where he returned an alleged breath analysis of 0.072. He was issued a Traffic Infringement Notice (TIN) for drive with low range PCA, and his licence was suspended for three months. About 12.40am on Saturday (2 October 2021), the same vehicle was stopped on Martin Street. The same driver returned a positive roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station, where he returned an alleged breath analysis of 0.082. He was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for drive with middle range PCA and drive when visiting privileges withdrawn. He is due to appear before Armidale Local Court on Monday 15 November 2021.
- Just before 3.30pm on Saturday (2 October 2021), officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were patrolling Bondi Road at Bondi, when they saw a Honda motorcycle allegedly exceed the speed limit to overtake a bus without indicating. Police stopped the motorcycle and spoke to the rider – a 31-year-old man – who returned a positive result to a roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to Waverley Police Station, where he returned an alleged breath analysis of 0.104. Subsequent checks revealed he was disqualified from driving until 2026. The man was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for drive with middle range PCA and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period. He is due to appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 2 November 2021. He was also issued infringement notices for negligent driving, not give right change of direction signal with lights, fail to comply with carry face covering directive and fail to comply with notice direction in relation to s 7/8/9-COVID-19.
- Just before 4.30pm on Saturday (2 October 2021), officers from Brisbane Water Highway Patrol stopped a Holden Cruze on the M1 Motorway at Mooney Mooney. The driver – a 26-year-old woman – and the two passengers – two men, aged 34 and 38 – were not from the same household and could not provide police with a reasonable excuse for being away from home. Inquiries revealed the woman's provisional licence had expired. She also returned a positive result to a roadside drug test. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police seized a baton, electronic stun device, flick knife, prohibited drugs and $30,450 cash – which will undergo further examination. All three people were arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station, where the woman was charged with three counts of possess prohibited weapon and not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9-COVID-19. She was also issued an infringement notice for drive with expired licence. The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Thursday 28 October 2021. The older man was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 – COVID-19. He appeared before Newcastle Bail Court on Sunday (3 October 2021), where he was granted bail to reappear at the same court on Thursday 28 October 2021. The younger man was issued a $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 – COVID-19.
- On Saturday (2 October 2021), officers from the Riverina Highway Patrol commenced an investigation after receiving information about a video posted on social media depicting a Queensland registered Ford Focus travelling on Elizabeth Avenue, Forest Hill, about 3.50pm the same day. The video depicted four people in the vehicle and one of the occupants filming the driver travelling at 220km/h in a 100km/h zone. About 11am on Sunday (3 October 2021), officers attended an address at Forest Hill and spoke to the driver – a 22-year-old woman. Her licence was suspended, and she was issued with a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for driver at speed/manner dangerous, exceed speed in excess of 45km and negligent driving. The woman is due to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 17 November 2021.
- Just after 7pm on Sunday (3 October 2021), officers from The Hills Highway Patrol attempted to stop the driver of a Toyota Aurion at Portico Parade, Toongabbie, after the vehicle was detected travelling at 77km/h in a signposted 50km/h zone. The driver continued before stopping at a nearby home and entering the premises, where he refused to comply with further police directions. Following negotiations, officers entered the home, where the man allegedly resisted arrest and OC spray was used to subdue him. Following a struggle, the man was arrested and taken to Blacktown Hospital under police guard. In a search of the property, officers located a hydroponic cannabis set-up, and an investigation was commenced. On Monday (4 October 2021), the 41-year-old man was subsequently released from hospital and taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with motor vehicle exceed speed (more than 20 km/h), resist officer in execution of duty and use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention. An outstanding arrest warrant was also executed. He is due to appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Tuesday 5 October 2021). Inquiries are continuing.
- About 6.45pm on Sunday (3 October 2021), officers attached to City South Highway Patrol were conducting speed enforcements on King Georges Road, Penshurst, when a 26-year-old man was allegedly detected travelling at 83km/h in a signposted 60km/h zone. The driver – who was travelling with his nine-year-old son in the passenger seat – was stopped and allegedly returned a positive result to a roadside breath test and drug test. The man was taken to Riverwood Police Station, where he returned an alleged breath analysis of 0.079. He was issued a Traffic Infringement Notice (TIN) for exceed speed greater than 10km/h and drive low range PCA. His licence was suspended for three months and further charges are pending the secondary oral fluid test.
- About 10.15pm on Sunday (3 October 2021), officers from Sutherland Highway Patrol were conducting proactive patrols when they stopped a Volkswagen at Taren Point Road, Caringbah. Police spoke with the driver – a 33-year-old woman – and passenger – a 31-year-old woman – and identified the pair were in breach of the Public Health Orders by travelling outside of their local government area. The driver was submitted to a roadside breath test and allegedly returned a positive result. The woman was arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station, where she returned an alleged breath analysis of 0.167. Her driver's licence was seized, and she was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for high-range PCA and drive while suspended. The Darling Point woman is due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 28 October 2021. Both women were issued $1000 PINs for breaching the Public Health Order.
Key statistics:
• Speed infringements: 3,789
• Breath tests: 32,577
• PCA: 187
• Major crashes: 193
• Fatalities: 5
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Regional statistics:
Western Region Figures as follows
Restraint Infringements – 6
Mobile phone infringements – 4
Speed infringements – 130
Breath Tests – 2,318
PCA charges – 7
Fatal Crashes – 1
Lives Lost – 1
Reported major crashes – 4
People injured – 2
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Southern Region Figures as follows
Restraint Infringements – 5
Mobile phone infringements – 1
Speed infringements – 123
Breath Tests – 2,366
PCA charges – 12
Fatal Crashes – 0
Lives Lost – 0
Reported major crashes – 4
People injured – 4
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Northern Region Figures as follows
Restraint Infringements – 14
Mobile phone infringements – 4
Speed infringements – 286
Breath Tests –
PCA charges – 11
Fatal Crashes – 1
Lives Lost – 1
Reported major crashes – 16
People injured – 10
