A man will face court on Monday 5 August 2019 after returning 0.159 (high range PCA) during a four-day strike force road safety enforcement campaign in Central West NSW.
The joint operation involving Central West Highway Patrol, and Traffic and Traffic/Highway Patrol Command’s Strike Force Puma, targeted high-risk drivers and driving behaviour on roads surrounding Parkes and Forbes.
The joint operation follows a fatal collision on Wednesday 8 May 2019 on Bedgerebong Road at Forbes, where excessive speed – alleged to be in excess of 200km/h – is being investigated as a key contributing factor to the crash.
Western Region Traffic Tactician Inspector Ben Macfarlane said this style of operation will be ongoing across the region.
“There are a number of future strike force deployments planned,” Inspector Macfarlane said.
“These operations have been ongoing in Western Region and we need to reinforce in motorists’ minds that drink driving and speeding in smaller towns and remote areas is not okay.
“I’ve also been disappointed in the number of people detected not wearing their seatbelts. Seatbelts save lives – particularly if someone chooses to not wear one after drinking, and crashes.”
“During 2019 in Western Region, 168 people have been found not wearing their seatbelts or using child restraints properly, and 41 people have lost their lives in crashes on roads across Western NSW.
“This is 41 families whose lives have been changed forever. When you take control of a vehicle, you need to accept responsibility for your actions on the road and the potential outcomes.”
Police conducted 113 random breath tests, and 19 random drug tests throughout the operation.
The following traffic infringement notices were issued:
- Driving while disqualified (Forbes)
- Driving while cancelled (Forbes)
- Driving while suspended (Orange)
- Mid-range PCA (x2)
- Special-range PCA
- Positive oral fluid detections (x2)
- Speeding offences (x17)
- Restraint (child)
- Other infringements (x16)
- Defect notices (x12)
On Saturday 13 July 2019, a 61-year-old man from Eugowra was arrested and charged with high-range PCA, disobey direction to stop and resist arrest. The man was driving along Eugowra/ Forbes Road after leaving a local pub when he was stopped in Chesher Street for a random breath test. He refused to comply with police directions after returning a positive reading, and was arrested and handcuffed. A subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.159. He will appear at Parkes Local Court on Monday 5 August 2019.
A P1 Licence holder was issued an infringement notice after she was allegedly detected travelling 87km/h in a 50km/h residential street in Parkes. Her license was suspended for three months. The penalty notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 30km/h carries a penalty of $920.
Strike Force Puma will continue to gather intelligence and monitor high-risk drivers and high-risk driving behaviour across Central West Police District, with a view to conduct additional deployments to the region.
