The operation is targeting speeding, drink and drug-driving, seatbelt use and crash black spot areas. 

Several highway patrol officers from outside the area have been brought in to support local staff in an effort to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury crashes in the area. 

During May, police conducted 1025 breath tests that resulted in two drink-driving charges, six other traffic related charges and two criminal charges.

Police also issued 283 traffic infringement notices (106 for speeding offences) and 17 defect notices. Random drug tests were conducted with one driver charged after a positive result.

One of the dangerous driving incidents detected included a 21-year-old Wingham man arrested and charged with a number of offences following a pursuit through the streets of Wingham on Thursday, May 25. He was refused bailed and will reappear in Taree Local Court on June 20.

On May 26, a 27-year-old Old Bar man was detected travelling at an alleged speed of 140kph in a 100kph zone on Thunderbolts Way, Nowendoc. He was stopped by police and issued with a traffic infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 30kph.

On the same day on Thunderbolts Way, Nowendoc, a 17-year-old boy was detected travelling at an alleged speed of 127kph in a 100kph zone.

He was stopped by police and produced a P1 provisional licence. He was issued an infringement notice for exceed speed by more than 30kph and had his licence suspended on the spot.

Manning Great Lakes highway patrol supervisor Sergeant Michael Martin said the message of safe driving is not getting through to some motorists.

“These incidents demonstrate that even though we have had a large number of fatalities in our area, there are people who continue to think they are invincible.

“These types of operations will continue in the local area and with the upcoming state wide Operation Stay Alert this June long weekend, this serves as a timely reminder that drivers don’t put their life or the lives of other motorists as risk,” Sergeant Martin said.

In relation to fatalities there have been five fatalities compared to three fatalities for the same time last year. Major traffic crashes are down 23, while person’s injured crashes are down 13.