Key statistics (Days 1 and 2 combined): - Road Toll: 1 - Speeding infringements: 2987 - Breath tests: 94,898 - Drink-driving charges: 61 Police are urging motorists to know their limits and think before they drink and drive, as thousands of breath tests are expected to be conducted this Australia Day. Operation Safe Return – the annual Australia Day traffic-enforcement operation – commenced on Friday (24 January 2014) and will conclude at midnight tomorrow (Monday 27 January 2014). The campaign will see a greater saturation of police conducting mobile and stationary random breath testing state-wide, along with general enforcement duties. On Day Two of the operation (Saturday 25 January 2014), a total of 57,164 breath tests were conducted, with 33 people charged with drink-driving. On the same day last year, 42,464 breath tests were conducted and 189 charges laid. NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Operations Commander, Acting Superintendent Simon Maund, said police will continue to target drink drivers today. “It’s extremely pleasing to see the reduction in positive breath tests this year compared to last; however, having 33 people charged in one day is still too many,” Acting Superintendent Maund said. “It’s particularly concerning to see some motorists caught drink-driving multiple times in the one day. These drivers have a clear disregard for not only the law, but for the safety of other road users and themselves. “Everyone is entitled to enjoy a drink today but I urge those who do intend on having a few to not drive and arrange alternative transport. Significant incidents include: Just before 2am today (Sunday 26 January 2014), police attached to Quakers Hill Highway Patrol stopped a black Mazda 3 on Forge Street at Blacktown. The 42-year-old driver was arrested after returning a positive roadside breath test and taken to Blacktown Police Station where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.158. He was charged with high-range PCA and drive whilst suspended. After leaving the police station it’s alleged the man returned to his vehicle in a taxi before he was again stopped by police. The Lalor Park man was again charged with high-range PCA and will appear at Blacktown Local Court on 17 February 2014. Just after 12.30am today, a 23-year-old man was arrested at Scone after providing a positive roadside breath test. He was taken to Scone Police Station where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.136. The man was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for mid-range PCA. About 1.30am, police patrolling Liverpool Street at Scone stopped a white utility for the purpose of a random breath test. It’s alleged the 23-year-old man was driving and provided another positive breath test. He was again arrested and charged and will appear at Scone Local Court on 20 February 2014. About 6.30pm yesterday a 38-year-old man was stopped in Bringagee Street at Griffith for a random breath test. He was arrested after providing a positive reading and taken to Griffith Police Station where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.195. Further checks revealed the man has never held a drivers licence and was driving an unregistered car. He was charged with high-range PCA and will appear at Griffith Local Court on 5 March 2014.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 01:46:33 +0000
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