Traffic hoons in Sydney's south have been put on notice after a two-day proactive operation was conducted over the weekend.
On Friday (7 July 2023), officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Area Command, together with local police, Raptor Highway Patrol officers, and Dog Unit, launched Operation Spoiler and patrolled roads around the Botany Bay Foreshore, between Sans Souci and Kyeemagh, with the aim of targeting traffic hoons and dangerous driving.
A number of light vehicles were inspected, some of which were issued defect notices. Of note, two vehicles that were defected include a large modified four-wheel drive that had missing wheel nuts and cracks throughout the structural components of the chassis and suspension, and a high-performance Holden Commodore with a highly illegal and dangerous nitrous oxide system fitted to the fuel system.
During the operation, police conducted 860 breath tests, 133 random drug tests, issued 658 infringement notices, 25 defect notices, and charged 30 people with various drink driving and drug offences.
Other incidents of note during the operation include:
About 6.20pm on Friday (7 July 2023), a 35-year-old man was driving a white Toyota Corolla when he was stopped by police for the purpose of random testing. Subsequent testing revealed a positive result. Police conducted checks on the man, and it was revealed that the man was a disqualified driver. Whilst police were attempting to arrest the man, he allegedly accelerated his vehicle harshly causing a police officer who was attempting to open the door fall to the ground. The officer sustained minor injuries. During his interaction with police, the man breached conditions of his AVO by contacting his wife.
The man was charged with:
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period - 2nd+off
- Use etc offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention etc-T1
- Refuse or fail to provide oral fluid sample - 2nd+off
- Not comply with direction given by police officer
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty
- Driver not wear seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened
- Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic)
- Negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm)
- Escape police custody-T1
The man will appear before Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 24 July 2023.
About 6.45pm on Saturday (8 July 2023), a -year-old man driving a black LDV panel van was stopped for random testing. The man produced a licence and checks by police revealed that the licence was suspended. During inquiries, police revealed that the female passenger in the van was the victim in an AVO where the man is listed as the defendant, putting him in breach of the AVO. The man was arrested and charged with Drive motor vehicle while licence suspended - 1st off and Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic). The man was bail refused to appear before Mascot Local Court today (Sunday 9 July 2023).
Inquiries also revealed that the female passenger was in breach of an AVO and her bail conditions. The woman was charged with Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic) and breach of bail. The woman will appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 12 July 2023.
Chief Inspector Paul Cibulka of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said police will continue to run these types of operations to ensure motorists are complying with the road rules and all road users are always sharing the road network safely.
"There is no place on our roads for dangerous driving behaviour, drink or drug driving or any acts that puts other motorists at risk."
