NSW Police is disappointed at the risk-taking behaviour of road users who continue to put the lives of others in danger, after one man died and another man remains in a serious condition on day four of the Easter long-weekend.
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As part of Operation Merret, police on roads are targeting drivers for dangerous behaviours including speeding, drink and drug-driving, mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said double-demerits remain in force until the operation finished at 11.59pm this evening, Monday, April 2.
“Police issued 1300 speeding infringements and conducted 54,660 breath tests during day four of the operation.
“It’s a sad reality that drivers continue to disobey even the most basic of road rules, endangering the lives of others and themselves,” he said.
Just after 3.30pm on Sunday, April 1, an 84-year-old man died and another man remains in a serious condition in hospital, after a single-vehicle crash at Jindera.
A report will be prepared for the coroner and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“Two people have lost their lives on our roads during the Easter long weekend because of poor decisions made by drivers and it simply will not be tolerated.
“Police will continue to take people off the roads who choose to drink and drive, or who cannot stay within the speed limit.”
Across the Manning and Great Lakes
In the Manning Great Lakes Police District officers were certainly kept busy but overall it appeared most drivers got the message about managing their fatigue, having a Plan B and speed, chief inspector Christine George said.
“Although not everyone got the message.”
About 2.45pm Sunday, April 1 police stopped a vehicle in MacIntosh Street, Forster for a random breath test.
As officers prepared to get out of their vehicle the driver, a 23-year-old male, reversed his vehicle into the front of the police vehicle.
“Clearly the police were not very happy,” she said.
A check of the young man's licence revealed he only had a learner’s permit which had been cancelled. He was subjected to a roadside breath test which proved positive.
The man was taken to Forster Police Station where he underwent breath analysis which returned a reading of 0.063.
He was charged with low range drink driving and will appear in Forster Local Court in April.
About 8.35pm on Saturday, March 31, police pulled over a vehicle travelling along the Lakes Way, Forster, for a random breath test.
The 27-year-old male P1 driver blew positive on the roadside test.
He was taken to Forster Police Station where he return a breath analysis reading of 0.017.
He was charged with special range drink driving. At the time of offence he had a six-year-old child in the car with him.
About 10am Sunday, April 1 police were conducting stationary random breath testing on the Pacific Highway, near Nabiac.
A vehicle travelling south failed to stop at the testing site and was stopped further down the highway by police after travelling at speeds of more than 130km/ph in the 100km signposted area.
The 39-year-old female driver was subjected to a roadside breath test which proved positive.
She was taken to Nabiac Police Station where she underwent breath analysis which returned a reading of 0.189.
She was charged with high range drink driving and her licence was suspended.
The woman had her 12-year-old daughter in the vehicle at the time.
She will appear in Forster Local Court during April.
About 10.30pm on Sunday, April 1, police were called to a vehicle rollover on Mudbishops Road, Old Bar.
On arrival they spoke to the 37-year-old male driver who was subjected to a roadside breath test which proved positive.
He was taken to Taree Police Station where he was underwent breath analysis which returned a reading of 0.137.
He was charged with mid range drink driving, his licence was suspended and he will appear in Taree Local Court during April.
About 10.40am, Monday, April 2 a 29-year-old male was stopped for a random breath test on Argyle Street, Barrington which proved positive.
He was taken to Gloucester Police Station where he underwent breath analysis which returned a reading of 0.107.
He was charged with mid range drink driving and his licence was suspended.
He will appear in Gloucester Local Court.
Police also stopped a vehicle in Tuncurry on Sunday and spoke to the 16-year-old driver who was only able to produce a learner’s permit.
His passenger was also only able to produce a learner’s permit. Unfortunately for this driver he will not be learning to drive again for some time.
About 12.35am on Saturday, March 31, highway patrol officers detected a vehicle travelling on the Bucketts Way, Tinonee, in excess of the posted speed limit.
Officers signaled for the 26-year-old male driver to stop however he accelerated away from the police vehicle.
Police began a pursuit onto Manning River Drive where, due to the time of night, there was little traffic with the vehicle reaching speeds of 115km/ph in the 70km area.
Crossing the Martin Bridge at Taree, the driver slowed after realising another highway patrol vehicle was waiting for him.
Highway Patrol officers stationed on the Taree side of the bridge threw roadspikes and successfully punctured the two front tyres on the vehicle.
The vehicle continued on the deflating tyres onto Commerce Street and finally on sparking rims into Wingham were he was arrested.
He was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged with driving whilst disqualified, police pursuit not stop, dangerous driving and other offences.
He was bail refused to return to Taree Local Court on Tuesday, April 3.
About 8.15pm on Saturday, March 31, night police were called to Old Bar due where a person was reported to be causing trouble at an aged care facility.
General duties police located the male in a vehicle and contacted local highway patrol officers.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle but it accelerated away on Old Bar Road towards the Pacific Highway reaching speeds of 180km/ph in the 90km sign posted area.
Police lost sight of the vehicle coming into Glenthorne but were soon alerted that the vehicle, driven by a 37-year-old Queensland man had driven into the roundabout at Glenthorne on the incorrect side of the road and collided head on with another vehicle.
Fortunately no one sustained serious injuries.
Police were quickly on the scene and arrested the male who was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged with stealing the motor vehicle from Evans Head the previous night, police pursuit not stop, driving while disqualified and other offences.
The male was bail refused and will front Taree Local Court this week.
“Please remember if you are travelling today we want everyone to return home safety. We expect the roads to be busy so allow time for your travel, ensure you are well rested and drive within the speed limit,” said chief inspector George.
