Plan your Christmas travel ahead of time, NSW

Motorists hitting the road over the Christmas break are urged to plan their trip in advanced and exercise patience when behind the wheel, as Operation Safe Arrival continues.

Operation Safe Arrival started at midnight on Friday (20 December 2019) and ends 11.59pm on New Year’s Day (Wednesday 1 January 2020).

Double demerit points will be in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.

NSW Police officers will also be targeting other poor driver behaviour, including drink-and-drug-driving.

Motorists are urged to check for road closures prior to travelling at www.livetraffic.com, always allow extra time to account for holiday traffic and remember to ‘give way to safety’.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said drivers need to plan their trip, be well rested and take regular breaks so they arrive at their holiday destination safely.

“Everyone is visiting family and friends at this time of year, and I am sure they would rather you arrive at your destination late, than not at all.” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

“Take the time before you drive to check the appropriate websites for the latest traffic information and prepare to practice patience in increased traffic conditions”.

As Operation Safe Arrival continues, some examples of irresponsible driver behaviour detected during day three (Sunday 22 December 2019) include;

Just before 11pm, a Lexus travelling along the Great Western Highway, Wentworthville, was allegedly detected travelling at 152km/h in a 70km/h zone. The 31-year-old man was stopped and spoken to, where he was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for speed dangerous >45km/h and his registration was suspended for three months.

Just before 8.30am, officers from Mid North Coast Traffic and Highway Patrol attempted to stop a Toyota Avalon at a roadside breath testing site on Lord Street, East Kempsey. The Toyota failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated, reaching speeds of 130km/h in a signposted 50km/h zone. The driver failed to negotiate a right hand turn into Sullivan’s Street, mounting the kerb and crashing into a fence. The driver, a 49-year-old man, was submitted to a roadside breath test, returning a positive result. A subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.169. He was charged with police pursuit – drive manner dangerous, high range PCA, breach of bail, and destroy/damage property for an unrelated matter. He was refused bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court today (Monday 23 December 2019).

About 12.40am, a Holden Colorado was stopped for the purpose of a random breath test on Rice Mill Road, Deniliquin. A 26-year-old man returned a positive result and was taken to Deniliquin Police Station where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.126. He was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice and is due to appear before Deniliquin Court on Tuesday 4 February 2020.

Officers from Dubbo Highway Patrol stopped a Ford Falcon on Murgah Street, Narromine, for a roadside breath test about 11am. Checks of the 46-year-old man’s license revealed he has not held one since 1995. The man also gave a positive indication for Cannabis, with a second sample being sent for analysis. He was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for licence expired 2 years or more.

Key statistics (progressive total):

Speed infringements: 3,038

Breath tests: 119,814

PCA charges: 165

Major crashes: 230

Fatalities: 5

/Public Release. View in full here.