A man disqualified from driving until 2023 has been one of 74 people across the state charged with drink-driving offences during the final day of Operation Safe Arrival.
Operation Safe Arrival began at midnight on Friday 20 December 2019 and concluded at 11.59pm yesterday (Wednesday 1 January 2019).
The operation had police out in force each day, targeting speeding, drink and drug-driving, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducting random breath testing when they stopped a Ford Festiva hatchback on the Old Pacific Highway at Mooney Mooney about 9.15am yesterday.
It will be alleged the driver, a 45-year-old man, could not produce a licence and subsequent checks revealed he was disqualified from driving until 2023.
The man allegedly returned a positive breath test result and was taken to Hornsby Police Station, where he allegedly returned a reading of 0.158. He was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and drive with high range PCA.
The man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Thursday 20 February 2020.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said more than 500,000 breath tests had been conducted during the 2019/2020 operation.
“Drivers have been made aware that if you plan on getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s highly likely you’ll encounter one of our officers,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“During the final day of Operation Safe Arrival, we saw too many drivers placing themselves and others at risk with their selfish and dangerous driving behaviours.
“However, overall, we’ve had a reduction in PCA charges and speeding infringement notices from last year’s operation, so we remain hopeful that the message is sinking in with the community.”
Other operational activities of note yesterday include:
- A 23-year-old Woodford man, allegedly driving on an expired licence, was charged over an alleged pursuit through the Blue Mountains about 11.50pm. Officers attempted to stop a Nissan Pulsar on the Great Western Highway at Faulconbridge after he was allegedly detected travelling 90km/h in a 60km/h zone. The man did not stop, and a pursuit was initiated. Shortly after, the driver stopped in Springwood, where he was arrested and taken to Springwood Police Station. The man was charged with exceed speed limit over 20km/h, drive with expired licence, and police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed. The man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Penrith Local Court on Thursday 13 February 2020.
- About 1.20pm, a 63-year-old woman was stopped for a random breath test on Wade Avenue at Leeton and allegedly returned a positive reading. Upon closer inspection of the vehicle, officers located three children under the age of five inside the car. The woman was charged with drive with mid-range PCA and had her licence suspended. She was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Leeton Local Court on Tuesday 11 February 2020.
- Officers charged an unaccompanied learner driver, driving on a cancelled licence, after an alleged police pursuit in Tamworth about 2.15pm. Police were conducting random breath tests on Bridge Street, when they spotted a Nissan Navara utility allegedly stop and conduct a U-turn over double unbroken separation lines. The driver allegedly drove on Dowling Street before turning off his headlights and did not stop. A police pursuit was initiated before the driver was stopped in Nemingha a short time later. The driver, a 24-year-old man, was charged with fail to comply with request or signal to stop vehicle, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, learner driver not display “L” plates as prescribed, and learner not accompanied by driver. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Monday 20 January 2020.
Key statistics (progressive total) Day 13:
• Speed infringements: 11,722
• Breath tests: 525,337
• PCA: 721
• Major crashes: 882
• Fatalities: 11
