Police continue to observe dangerous driving behaviour over the Easter long weekend, with many motorists caught travelling in excess of 45km over the speed limit and under the influence of alcohol.
Motorists were reminded that they should only be on the roads for ‘essential travel’ under the current COVID-19 restrictions, and road rules still applied, however police were disappointed with the number of people pulled over this weekend.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said it is extremely concerning to see the number of motorists so blatantly ignore road rules.
“I am not sure where people are speeding to if they have been advised to stay inside unless travel is essential.
“Remember, speed and alcohol limits are there for a reason – to keep the road safe. So if you do get behind the wheel, wear a seatbelt, do not use your phone, slow down and have a plan B if you are drinking.”
The state-wide road safety operation – Operation Tortoise – began last week, with double demerits in force from 12.01am on Thursday (9 April 2020) and until 11.59pm tonight (Monday 13 April 2020).
Some events of interest from Easter Sunday (Sunday 12 April 2020) include:
- About 8.30am, police attempted to stop a Black Nissan Navara Utility driving along Stewart Street South Windsor. The driver is alleged to have driven towards a police officer, before swerving and accelerating towards Woods Road. A pursuit was initiated throughout Richmond, Agnes Banks, Londonderry, Llandilo, Shanes Park, Mount Druitt and Blacktown, with the Nissan allegedly reaching speeds up to 150km/h. Shortly after the man was arrested after a brief struggle as he exited his vehicle on Bowmans Road, Kings Park. He was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station where he was searched with police allegedly locating cannabis and methylamphetamine. He was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, not stop vehicle when directed to do so, assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, resist officer in execution of duty, two counts of possess prohibited drug, and class A m/v exceed speed > 45 km/h (estimated). He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Wednesday 15 April 2020.
- A P-plate driver had his licence suspended for six months after officers attached to Fairfield Highway Patrol observed his blue Hyundai Veloster around 5.50pm allegedly travelling at 135km/h in a signposted 70km zone down Cowpasture Road, Bossley Park. The 19-year-old man was issued a traffic infringement for Class A motor vehicle exceed speed limit – over 45 km/h and Not comply P2 licence condition not display P plates.
- About 8pm, North Shore Highway Patrol detected a white Triumph Daytona motorcycle allegedly travelling 100km/h over the speed limit on the Warringah Freeway, North Sydney. The rider, a 42-year-old man from Pyrmont, was spoken to by police on Military Road, Neutral Bay, after he was detected travelling 192km/h in an 80km/h zone. He was issued a Court Attendance Notice for the offences drive recklessly, furiously or at speed or manner dangerous and exceed speed limit over 45km/h to appear at Manly Local Court on Thursday 9 July 2020.
- Officers attached to New England Police District stopped a 60-year-old man on Glen Innes Road, Armidale, for a roadside breath test at 9.40pm. He returned a positive reading and was arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.246. He was issued a Court Attendance Notice to appear at Armidale Local Court on Monday 20 July for high range PCA.
- At 10.20pm, a 46-year-old woman was stopped by officers attached to Central North Police District on Hume Place, Bourke for a roadside breath test that retuned a positive result. The woman was arrested and taken to Bourke Police Station where a subsequent breath analysis allegedly returned a reading of 0.205. The P-plate driver was issued a Court Attendance Notice for high-range PCA to appear at Bourke Local Court on Thursday 23 July 2020.
