A man has lost 33 points after five children were unrestrained in a panel van stopped for a random breath test in Woodbine.
About 11:40am (Saturday 27 April 2019), a white panel van pulled was pulled over for a random breath test by Campbelltown Highway Patrol as part of Operation Go Slow.
While speaking with the driver, officers noticed an 11-year-old girl unrestrained in the back of the vehicle and a three-year-old not wearing a seatbelt or in an approved baby seat. On further inspection, police discovered another three children beneath a blanket unrestrained on the floor of the van.
The 38-year-old man was issued with five traffic infringement notices for unrestrained child offences, incurring six demerits for each infringement. He was also issued with a defective seatbelt offence which carries three demerit points, bringing his total to 33 demerit points.
Just hours later in Moree, about 2pm (Saturday 27 April 2019) a driver was pulled over for a random breath test. Police discovered four children unrestrained inside the vehicle. The 31-year old woman was issued with four infringements and as a result incurred a total of 24 demerit points.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said while NSW Police continue to target speeding, driver distraction and drink driving, an increased presence means all unsafe practices are on the radar.
“People need to be accountable for unsafe driving practices, whatever they may be,” he said.
“The reality is they are not only putting the lives of themselves and their passengers at risk but also others travelling on NSW roads.
“While there will always be those who persist in putting the lives of others in danger on our roads, we will be even more persistent in ensuring our roads are safe for the people of NSW,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
There were multiple examples of high-range speeding across the state.
About 10:25pm (Saturday 27 April 2019), police attached to Gundagai Highway Patrol detected a vehicle travelling 213km/h northbound on the Hume Highway at Tumblong. The 24-year-old Victorian man was issued an infringement for exceed speed greater than 45km/h and had his authority to drive in NSW suspended for six months.
Some other examples of irresponsible behaviour on NSW roads during Day Four of Operation Go Slow include:
Bass Hill: About 1:10am (Saturday 27 April 2019) police from the Bankstown Highway Patrol observed a vehicle travelling approximately 100km/h in a 70km/h zone on the Hume Highway. The driver failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
The vehicle reached a maximum speed of 150km/h in a 60km/h zone on Chester Hill Road.
The driver pulled over on nearby Buist Street where he was arrested and charged with driver manner dangerous, exceed speed greater than 45km/h, and police pursuit. The 24-year-old had his licence suspended and will appear in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 29 May 2019.
Moree: About 2pm (Saturday 27 April 2019) a driver was pulled over for a random breath test. Police discovered four children unrestrained inside the vehicle. The 31-year old woman was issued with four infringements and as a result incurred a total of 24 demerit points.
Rushcutters Bay: About 8:30pm (Saturday 27 April 2019), officers from Kings Cross Area Command conducted random breath test of a driver on McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay. Following a search of the man and the vehicle police discovered cocaine, cannabis and cash.
The man was charged with possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug and property proceeds of crime.
Operation Go Slow, the state’s ANZAC long-weekend road safety operation, started at 12.01am on Wednesday 24 April 2019 and will run until 11.59pm on Sunday 28 April 2019.
Police across NSW are continuing to target all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle/helmet offences, which will attract double demerit points.
Operation Go Slow Key statistics (Cumulative total – started on Wednesday 24 April 2019):
Total infringements issued (not speeding): 5599
Speed infringements: 3639
Breath tests: 196,159
Drink-driving charges: 135
Fatal crashes: 6
