Police are reminding motorists that road rules still apply and are being enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic following recent detections of dangerous driving, including serious speeding offences, across NSW.
So far this year, there has been significantly less traffic on NSW roads which can largely be attributed to the flow-on effects of the extended bushfire season and now COVID-19.
As a result, there have been fewer fatal crashes and drink-driving detections compared with the same period last year, but there has been a notable increase in the number of speeding infringements issued.
A comparison of the period 16 March to 26 April over the past three years (2018-20) shows the number of fatal and injury crashes has halved this year, while the number of lives lost for the period is 14 fewer than 2019.
Drink-driving detections also halved from about 2200 in 2018 and 2019, to about 1100 in 2020, but the proportion those detected in the high range is up to 21% from an average of 15% in earlier years.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said the statistics highlight that some motorists have little regard for their own safety and lives of others.
"Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the most selfish acts someone can undertake, but some of the significant high-range PCA readings have been shocking; a sign that some people are taking their road use for granted," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
"Random breath testing and drug testing are still being conducted, and, as traffic increases as various restrictions are relaxed, Highway Patrol officers will be there to ensure all road users are doing the right thing.
"While the year-to-date road toll is 25 fewer than last year at 109, we need to remember that is still 109 people whose families, friends and workmates have had to suffer the loss of a loved one unnecessarily.
"And then, when you also consider the impact on emergency first-responders and medical staff, the total number of people directly and indirectly affected by road trauma are significant and, for many, life changing.
"The challenge is now on for everyone to do their part to keep the road toll down. In having less vehicles on our roads, it proved the road toll can be decreased, but it is road users 'doing the right thing' that will keep this number down.
"Once you turn the key in the ignition, you are fully responsible for your actions, and police will be there to hold you accountable."
Meanwhile, the total number of speeding offences is essentially stable across that period over the three years, as is the number in each of the speed ranges, except 'more than 45km/h over' which dramatically increased to 425 offences from to 307 and 303 offences in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, said this kind of dangerous driving behaviour is a recipe for disaster.
"I was in disbelief on learning that one offender was clocked doing more than 240km/h in a 60 zone. This is absolutely moronic behaviour at a time when our emergency services workers are focused on the fight against the pandemic," he said.
"It was only last week we saw the tragic loss of four officers in Victoria who were simply doing their jobs to protect the community.
"The Commissioner and I recently announced 250 additional police across the state. These officers will be out enforcing the law to protect society from individuals who think their dangerous driving won't kill an innocent family."
About 11pm last Saturday (25 April 2020), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling King Georges Road, Wiley Park, when they saw a Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycle, carrying a pillion passenger, with the rear number plate obscured.
The motorcycle was monitored with the assistance of PolAir, and when officers attempted to stop the cycle on Canterbury Road, the rider failed to stop, allegedly speeding away at more than 160km/h.
A pursuit was initiated before being terminated to allow PolAir to continue to monitor the cycle.
While the motorcycle was on King Georges Road, it was seen travelling only on its back wheel before allegedly speeding away at more than 200km/h.
PolAir continued to monitor the motorcycle as it travelled to Greenacre, where the pillion passenger got off, with the rider dumping the bike in the yard of a nearby home and attempting to hide.
Shortly after, police attended and arrested the rider – a 23-year-old man – with subsequent checks revealing he held a P1 licence, but he is disqualified from driving until 2032.
The man was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive during disqualification period, and vehicle number plate obscured.
Police will allege in court that the cycle reached speeds of up to 247km/h in signposted 60km/h zones.
He has been formally refused bail and will appear at Bankstown Local Court next Wednesday (6 May 2020).
Assistant Commissioner Corboy added that the main message is about personal responsibility.
"Ultimately, how you behave on the road is up to you but remember, while there fewer vehicles currently on the road, there's still the same amount of police, so traffic offences are somewhat easier to detect," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
"If you drink or use drugs and drive, not wear a seat belt, speed, or drive distracted or fatigued, you're making a decision to come under police notice.
"If you've ever displayed any of these driver behaviours, now is the time to change your ways; not just to avoid a fine or other legal action, it might just save a life."
Recent near misses include:
- Just after 3pm on Monday 6 April 2020, officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were travelling on the M1 Motorway at Cooranbong, when they noticed a cement truck veering into the breakdown lane. The truck returned to the lane but again veered left three more times, and on the fourth occasion, when the truck nearly collided with a guard rail, police pulled the vehicle over. The driver – a 40-year-old man – acknowledged he was tired and was subsequently issued a Traffic Infringement Notice (TIN) for drive not in Safe-T-Cam/average speed zone on/over solid edge line.
- Just after 6pm on Monday 13 April 2020, a Holden Commodore was travelling north on the M1 Motorway, Minmi, when it almost collided with the driver's side of a fully-marked Highway Patrol car, which was stopped in the breakdown lane near an emergency phone. The Commodore appeared to have braked heavily before sliding past the police car and into a concrete spoon drain, which flicked the vehicle across both lanes of the motorway, sliding backward into the median strip and coming to rest in the scrub some 300m from where the driver had lost control. The 23-year-old male driver was uninjured and returned a negative result for a roadside breath test. He was issued with a TIN for negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm).
- About 3.30pm on Wednesday 15 April 2020, a Ford Ranger was travelling westbound on the Monaro Highway, Rock Flat, when the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle in a 100km/h zone. As the Ford was diverging into the eastbound lanes, an oncoming vehicle – a fully-marked Highway Patrol vehicle, which was travelling at 100km/h – was forced to brake heavily and swerve to avoid it. The 41-year-old male driver stopped in Peak Road, where he was spoken to by police before being issued a TIN for overtake vehicle when unsafe.
Anyone with information in relation to dangerous driving behaviours is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
