NSW police charge woman with high-range drink-driving with children in car on Day Two Operation Slow Down

A 43-year-old woman allegedly detected almost four times over the legal limit in Sydney’s south, was one of eight people charged with drink-driving offences during day two of Operation Slow Down.

About 11.20pm on Saturday (5 October 2019), Traffic and Highway Patrol officers attached to Sutherland Police Area Command were conducted stationary random breath tests on Gymea Bay Road, Gymea.

Officers observed a vehicle stop short of the random breath test site and approached the 43-year-old female driver. She allegedly returned a positive result to a roadside breath test.

The woman, who had two children in the car at the time, was arrested and taken to Miranda Police Station and allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.196.

Her licence was suspended and was she was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice (FCAN) for drive with high range PCA. She will appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 31 October 2019.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, Traffic & Highway Patrol Commander said this kind of reckless behaviour will not be tolerated by NSW Police on our roads.

“Police are disappointed that people continue to behave irresponsibly on our roads and put others’ lives – including children – at risk,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

“Those who wish to consume alcohol during long weekend celebrations, need to have a Plan B and think about a designated driver for the next morning as well.

“As tomorrow is a public holiday, we know that many people will be out and about enjoying some extra time off work, and we strongly encourage all road users to slow down and drive to the conditions,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

Some examples of inappropriate driver behaviours during day two (Saturday 5 October 2019) of Operation Slow Down include;

  • About 6.30am (Saturday 5 October 2019), an off-duty police officer observed a vehicle veering across lanes at the Gore Hill Freeway, Naremburn. Officers from North Shore Police Area Command attended and stopped the vehicle. The 45-year-old male driver returned a positive result and later returned a breath analysis of 0.118. The man was charged with middle-range drink-driving and had his licence suspended. He will appear at Hornsby Local Court on Thursday 31 October 2019.
  • Just after 1.15am (Sunday 6 October 2019), Traffic and Highway Patrol officers attached to Burwood Police Area Command stopped a 22-year-old motorcycle rider on Parramatta Road, Croydon, after they detected him travelling 20km/h above the speed limit. Routine checks revealed the man’s licence was suspended until 2030 due to disqualified driving offences. The man was arrested and taken to Burwood Police Station where he was charged with Class A motor vehicle exceed speed (greater than 10km/h Lidar), and drive motor vehicle while licence suspended. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 5 November 2019.
  • About 12.40pm (Saturday 5 October 2019), officers from New England Police District observed a vehicle being driven and reversed on Moore Street, Inverell. Officers stopped and approached the vehicle and located a 53-year-old man lying across the front seats of the car in an attempt to hide from police. The man, whose licence was suspended, was charged with drive motor vehicle while licence suspended. He will appear at Inverell Local Court on Thursday 11 November 2019.

Key statistics (progressive total):

Speed infringements: 2,301

Breath tests: 93,244

PCA charges: 28

Major crashes: 169

Fatalities: 2

/Public Release. View in full here.