Police are concerned that repeated warnings to drive under the speed limit are going unheeded, as a number of motorists have been stopped exceeding the limit, some by more than 45km/h during day 10 of Operation Safe Arrival.
Operation Safe Arrival began on Friday 20 December 2019 and will run until 11.59pm on Wednesday (1 January 2020).
Police have been targeting speeding, drink and drug-driving, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences and have detected numerous incidents of motorists putting themselves and others in danger.
In three unrelated incidents yesterday (Sunday 29 December 2019), motorists were stopped for their alleged speeding:
- About 9.45pm, officers attached to Kuring-Gai Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting speed enforcement duties on the M1 at Berowra when they detected a Mitsubishi Triton utility allegedly traveling at 147km/h in a 110km/h zone. The vehicle continued to travel at speed, allegedly weaving in and out of traffic and reaching speeds of 159km/h in a 110km/h zone. The driver, a 58-year-old man was stopped near the Hawkesbury River. He underwent a breath test which allegedly returned a reading of 0.168. His licence was suspended and confiscated and the vehicle's number plates were seized. He was issued a Field Court Attendance notice to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Thursday 30 January 2020.
- Just before 8am, police detected a black Aprilla motor cycle traveling at 194km/h in a 80km/h zone. Officers attached to the Hills Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped the 30-year-old male rider. He was issued three traffic infringement notices for drive speed dangerous second offence, exceed speed limit over 45km/h and not stop at stop line red arrow. His licence was suspended and confiscated and the motor bike's number plates were seized.
- About 6am, officers from Quakers Hill Highway patrol Command stopped a Renault Megane after it was detected allegedly travelling at 143km/h in a 80km/h zone. The driver, a 19-year-old international student, was issued a penalty notice for exceed speed over 45km/h and fined $2,482. His licence was suspended for six months.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, has again appealed to motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions at all times.
"Speeding is one of the major killers on NSW roads and this irresponsible attitude puts so many people at risk," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
"Our officers will continue to target and stop drivers who put themselves and others at risk, but ultimately, it is up to the individuals themselves to heed the warning and slow down," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Key statistics (progressive total) Day 10:
• Speed infringements: 9358
• Breath tests: 405,184
• PCA: 532
• Major crashes: 694
• Fatalities: 8
Motorists are urged to check for road closures prior to travelling at www.livetraffic.com. Always allow extra time to account for holiday traffic and remember to 'give way to safety', especially during the bushfire emergency.
