Irresponsible drivers mar improved year-to-year results, NSW

Police have been kept busy on Day 3 of Operation Tortoise with a concerning number of drivers exceeding the speed limit, some involved in pursuits across NSW roads.

Another fatality was recorded yesterday in northern NSW, totalling three for the operation so far.

About 11am (Saturday 20 April 2019), emergency services were called to the Gwydir Highway after a Ford Falcon station wagon left the road and rolled before hitting a tree. The driver and sole occupant, a 71-year-old man, died at the scene.

Operation Tortoise, the state’s Easter long-weekend road safety operation, began at 12.01am on Thursday 18 April 2019 and will run until 11.59am on Monday 22 April 2019.

Police across NSW will continue targeting all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle-helmet offences, which will attract double demerit points as the long weekend continues.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said while there is a positive change in this year’s figures, there are still many who act irresponsibly on the road.

“It’s encouraging that police have handed out significantly fewer infringements and charges than last year’s operation, and I think the common sense shown by the vast majority of road users, and good road management by officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command has contributed greatly,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

“The consequences of stopping when directed and facing police are often far less severe than attempting to evade our officers. Driving irresponsibly and fleeing from police will only endanger the lives of the public, our officers, and yourself.

“It’s also positive to see proactive work by our police on the road has seen prohibited drugs intercepted and prevented from hitting the street,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

Driver behaviour (Day Three):

  • Just after 8am (Saturday 20 April 2019), police observed a blue Holden Astra displaying green P-Plates travelling at 90km/h in a 70km/h zone through the Airport Tunnel, Mascot. The driver allegedly accelerated away from police and reached a speed of 170km/h, before a pursuit was initiated. The Holden turned around just before reaching the Domestic Airport entrance, and began travelling in the wrong direction before stopping for police. The 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with exceed speed over 45km/h, police pursuit not stop – Syke’s Law, and his licence was suspended. He will appear at Downing Centre Local Court at a later date.
  • About 2.10pm (Saturday 20 April 2019), police stopped a vehicle on Cowcumbla Street, Cootamundra, for the purpose of a random breath test. The 23-year-old male driver was subject to a random breath test which returned a positive result, before being arrested and taken to Cootamundra Police Station where he was subject to a breath analysis which returned a negative result. Upon searching the man, police located substances believed to be methylamphetamine, and resealable bags. He was charged with supply and possess prohibited drug – indictable quantity, and granted conditional bail to appear at Cootamundra Local Court on Monday 3 June 2019.
  • About 7.50pm, officers attached to the Joint Traffic Task Force conducting stationary speed enforcement observed a silver Lexus performing burnouts at the intersection of Heathcote Road and Walder Road, Hammondville. Police stopped the car on Stewart Avenue and spoke with the 22-year-old male driver, before conducting checks which revealed he did not hold an active licence, and the car’s tyres to be dangerously worn with exposed canvass and wire. He was later charged with drive with a refused licence (2nd offence), aggravated burnout, drive manner dangerous, and the car was issued a major defect notice. He was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday 12 June 2019.
  • About 9.45pm, officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Highway Patrol observed a red Holden Commodore travelling north on the Pacific Highway, Emerald Beach, at 146km/h in a 110km/h zone with no registration plates attached. Police initiated two separate pursuits when the car failed to stop, before a tyre deflation device was deployed at Bom Bom, causing the car to come to a stop. A 27-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Grafton Police Station, before being taken to Grafton Hospital for testing. She was later charged with police pursuit not stop – Syke’s Law, use unregistered vehicle, and drive while licence cancelled. She was refused bail to appear at Grafton Local Court today (Sunday 21 April 2019).

Key statistics (Cumulative total – started on 18 April 2019):

Total infringements issued (not speeding): 6,554 (869 fewer than last year)

Speed infringements: 4,063 (881 fewer than last year)

Breath tests: 196,092 (23,216 more than 2018)

Drink-driving charges: 95 (186 fewer than 2018)

Lives lost: 3 (two more than 2018)

/Public Release. View in full here.