Leaving children unrestrained led the list of stupid and dangerous decisions seen on the roads during Day 7, as double demerits begin during Operation Safe Arrival, NSW Police say.
Double demerits began this morning (00.01am Friday 22 December 2017) and will remain in force until Midnight on New Year’s Day (11.59pm Monday 1 January 2018).
Commander of the Traffic & Highway Patrol, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said it is not fair to put innocent children at risk, as people set off on long journeys today.
"To say it is disappointing to see people driving with young children unrestrained in their car is an understatement.
"I cannot believe the selfishness and stupidity of anyone that chooses to carry children in their car without putting them in an approved seat, or with no seatbelt at all.
"Today is the day that many people are setting off on what could be the biggest trip of their year on roads unfamiliar to them.
"Not only is it important that everyone is restrained in a car, it is important for drivers to be rested.
"Heading off on a long trip after a long day at work can be a recipe for disaster.
"Don’t let your family or someone else’s family suffer because you are speeding or driving tired, all because you want to get to your destination a little early. It’s simply not worth it," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Some examples of inappropriate driver behaviour detected during Day 7 (Thursday 21 December 2017) of Operation Safe Arrival include:
-About 9.30pm, officers stopped a Mitsubishi Nimbus on the Pacific Highway at Artarmon for the purposes of a random breath test. While at the breath test site, officers allegedly located an unrestrained six-month-old child in the lap of the front passenger and a seven-year-old child unrestrained and in the footwell in the rear of the car. The driver was issued infringements for having unrestrained children.
-About 8.30am, officers stopped a Ford Falcon on Fitzgerald Avenue, Maroubra, for the purposes of a random breath test. While at the site, officers allegedly located a 20-month-old boy laying in the footwell behind the driver’s seat. The driver, a 73-year-old man, was issued an infringement for having an unrestrained child.
-About 6.55am, an 18-year-old man was stopped after he was allegedly caught doing 120km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Pacific Highway near Macksville. Investigations revealed he was a disqualified driver. He was arrested after submitted a positive breath test and later charged with mid-range drink-driving and drive whilst disqualified after returning a reading of 0.093. He was refused bail and appeared at Macksville Local Court yesterday (Thursday 21 December 2017).
-About 11.20pm, a 32-year-old man was arrested after submitting a positive breath test after he allegedly crashed into a parked car on Jamboree Avenue, Denham Court. He was taken to Macquarie Fields Police Station where he returned a reading of 0.262. He had his licence suspended and was charged with high-range drink-driving. He is due to face Campbelltown Local Court on 16 January 2017.
Double demerit points are now in place and will continue until midnight on New Year’s Day.
There are more police on roads targeting drivers for dangerous behaviours that have led to loss of life on our roads, including; speeding, drink and drug-driving, mobile phone use, and not wearing seatbelts.
Key statistics (Cumulative total):
Total infringements issued: 19,794
Speed infringements: 8293
Breath tests: 241,427
Drink-driving charges: 349
Major crashes: 668
Lives lost: 8
