Unaccompanied learner charged with high range drink driving at Wollongong, NSW

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with high range drink driving following a proactive police operation in Wollongong at the weekend.

Operation Fume was conducted by officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command on Friday 15 January 2021, targeting alcohol and drug driving throughout Wollongong Police District.

Throughout the course of the operation, police conducted almost 700 random breath tests and more than 200 random drug tests.

As a result, two people were charged with drink driving and 12 people provided positive drug tests. A further five charges were laid, and 27 penalty infringement notices were issued for a range of offences, including disqualified driving, speeding, mobile phone use and seatbelts.

Of note, police responded to reports a black BMW was being driven erratically in the Fairy Meadow area about 2pm (Friday 15 January 2021).

A short time later, police stopped an unaccompanied 16-year-old driver on Pioneer Road, Towradgi.

The teen provided a positive breath result and was taken to Wollongong Police Station, where he allegedly returned a reading of 0.153.

The boy’s learner licence was suspended, and he was issued a court attendance notice for learner not accompanied, high range PCA, and learner not display P plates.

A 43-year-old man also received a penalty infringement notice for allowing his passenger to travel, unrestrained, in the boot of his car. The man told police his friend needed a lift down the road and was subsequently issued a ticket.

Police will continue to enforce and target driver behaviour to ensure all road users have a safe start to 2021.

Anyone with information about dangerous driver behaviour is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

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