A driver has lost 28 demerit points in one incident after her Holden Captiva was stopped at Ourimbah as a part of Operation Tortoise.
Just after 5pm yesterday (Monday 22 April 2019), highway patrol officers stopped the woman’s vehicle in the northbound lanes of M1 (Pacific Highway).
Police spoke to a 24-year-old Umina woman about using a mobile phone while she was driving.
While talking with the driver police observed children; aged five, three and one; in the rear seat. All three children were in child seats however the one and three-year-olds were not properly restrained as their shoulder straps were not tightened correctly. A check of all the child seats revealed none of them were anchored to the vehicle as required.
The driver was issued four infringement – three notices for the children not being restrained as prescribed and the fourth for use of the mobile phone when not permitted.
These carried a combined penalty of $1348 and due to double demerit points the driver accrued 28 demerit points. Children at risk notifications have been made to Family and Community Services.
Operation Tortoise, the state’s Easter long-weekend road safety operation, started at 12.01am on Thursday 18 April 2019 and finished last night (11.59pm Monday 22 April 2019).
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said the Easter enforcement campaign had been highlighted by a number of poor choices being made by drivers.
“Even though there have been declines in the number of people detected drink driving and travelling above the speed limit, we are still hearing of examples such as the one from Ourimbah,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“Three people lost their lives on NSW roads across the Easter break. This is the same as last year.
“When you combine that with the fact 6000 people were detected travelling above the speed limit – those thoughts should be incentive enough to turn anyone off acting like an idiot on our roads.”
Key Statewide statistics (Cumulative total – started on 18 April 2019):
Total infringements issued (includes seatbelt and helmet offences): 10,177
Seatbelt/helmet offences – 832
Speed infringements: 6386
Breath tests: 315,157
Drink-driving charges: 291
Lives lost: 3
Reported major crashes: 401
People injured: 130
Key Southern Region statistics (Cumulative total – started on 18 April 2019):
Total infringements issued (includes seatbelt and helmet offences): 1337
Seatbelt/helmet offences: 81
Speed infringements: 1299
Breath tests: 64,558
Drink-driving charges: 59
Lives lost: 0
Reported major crashes: 36
People injured: 12
Key Western Region Statistics (Cumulative total – started on 18 April 2019):
Total infringements issued (includes seatbelt and helmet offences): 747
Seatbelt/helmet offences: 62
Speed infringements: 717
Breath tests: 26,131
Drink-driving charges: 23
Lives lost: 2
Reported major crashes: 38
People injured: 27
Key Northern Region statistics (Cumulative total – started on 18 April 2019):
Total infringements issued (includes seatbelt and helmet offences): 1754
Seatbelt/helmet offences: 72
Speed infringements: 1222
Breath tests: 41521
Drink-driving charges: 70
Lives lost: 0
Reported major crashes: 66
People injured: 35
