Eight people lost their lives on our roads during the Easter long weekend following a number of crashes on the state’s roads, as a minority of road users continue to put themselves and others at risk through irresponsible and selfish driving behaviours.
Operation Easter 2024 commenced at 12.01am on Thursday 28 March 2024 and concluded at 11.59pm yesterday (Monday 1 April 2024), with double demerit points in place throughout.
The operation targeted the major factors contributing to road trauma – excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigue, non-wearing of seatbelts and helmets, and mobile phone use.
Eight people died during the weekend, and police saw a concerning number of dangerous driving incidents, including excessive speed, high-range drink-driving, and reckless driving.
During the operation, police issued 5709 speed infringements, conducted 232092 breath tests with 295 people charged with drink-driving, conducted 17,256 road-side drug tests with 863 positive roadside drug detections.
Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said the shocking behaviour of a minority of road users continues to put the majority of people at risk.
“Prior to the start of the operation, I pleaded with all road users to make this long weekend a safe and enjoyable one.
“Unfortunately, due to the actions of a few, we’ve had more fatalities and serious injuries in a number of serious crashes that could have been prevented if the warning was heeded.
“Again, we can’t accept this irresponsible behaviour and the community shouldn’t either. It is time we as a collective worked together to end this carnage on our roads,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.
Incidents of note during the operation include:
About 7.15am on Thursday (28 March 2024), officers attached to Yass Traffic and Highway patrol were conducting speed enforcement duties on the Hume Highway, near Bowning, when they detected a Toyota Corolla travelling northbound at 188 km/h in a signposted 110 km/h zone. The driver, a 26-year-old man from Victoria was issued an infringement for exceed speed more than 45km/h and had his NSW driving privileges suspended for 6 months.
On Thursday (28 March 2024), officers attached to Richmond Traffic and Highway Patrol were patrolling the Bruxner Highway, Irvington about 2.50pm, when they detected a stolen Mazda MX5 travelling westbound. The Mazda failed to stop when directed and a pursuit was initiated before being terminated near Casino due to safety concerns. Officers patrolling the area located the Mazda stopped on Camille Court and the driver, a 26-year-old woman from East Ballina, was arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station. She was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, not stop vehicle when directed to do so, drive vehicle during disqualification period, use vehicle number plate obscured/defaced, Drive vehicle, illicit drug present in blood, and possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs. The woman appeared at Lismore Local Court on Friday (29 March 2024) where she was granted conditional bail to appear at Casino Local Court on Thursday 9 May 2024.
About 2.45am on Friday (29 March 2024), police were patrolling Greenacre and saw an unregistered trailbike being ridden on Norfolk Road. The trailbike failed to stop when directed and a pursuit was initiated where the rider is alleged to failed to stop at a red traffic light before entering Northcote Park on Waterloo Road. The rider lost control and fell. The 17-year-old from Roselands was arrested after a short foot pursuit. He was taken to Auburn Police Station and charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, unlicensed rider, and use uninsured and unregistered motor vehicle on road. He will appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 16 May 2024. The trail bike was also seized.
About 6.50am on Friday (29 March 2024), emergency services were called to Albert Street, Corrimal, following reports of a crash. Officers attached to Wollongong Highway Patrol arrived to find a Toyota Camry had been abandoned after hitting the pole, snapping it in half. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a knife. Following inquiries, officers located the driver, a 19-year-old man, nearby on Edgar Street. He was arrested and taken to Corrimal Police Station where he returned a breath analysis of 0.105 and an oral fluid test also returned a positive result for cocaine and methylamphetamine. The teen was charged with custody of knife in public place, drive with middle range PCA and drive never licenced. He is due to appear before Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 21 May 2024.
About 7am on Friday (29 March 2024), officers attached to Orange Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting inquiries into a break and enter when they attempted to stop a Ford Ranger travelling on Spring Street, Orange. The Ford failed to stop when directed and a pursuit was initiated before being terminated shortly after due to safety concerns. The SUV was recorded doing 150km/h in a marked 50km/h speed zone. About 8.30am, police located the Ford at a home on Raines Place, Orange, and following inquiries officers arrested a 15-year-old boy. He was taken to Orange Police Station and charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and intimidate police officer in execution of duty. An outstanding warrant was also executed. The teen was refused bail to appear before children’s court on Sunday (31 March 2024.
About 10.20am on Friday (29 March 2024), officers attached to Dubbo Traffic and Highway Patrol were patrolling the Newell Highway, Dubbo, when they stopped a Toyota HiAce due to excessive speed. After speaking with the driver, a 49-year-old man, officers searched the vehicle locating 33kg of cannabis. The driver was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station. He was charged with supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity and possess prohibited drug. The South Australian man appeared at Dubbo Local Court on Saturday (30 March 2024), where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Thursday (4 April 2024).
About 11.30pm on Friday (29 March 2024), police detected a Subaru travelling on General Holmes Drive, Mascot at 120km/h in a signposted 70km/h speed zone. A pursuit was initiated after the Subaru failed to stop when directed. The Subaru continued onto Foreshore Road, Mascot, where it crashed into a bridge support. The driver, a 17-year-old boy, and three passengers were treated at the scene for minor injuries before being taken to hospital. The driver has since been charged with drive recklessly or furiously or speed or manner dangerous, not comply P1 or P2 high performance vehicle restriction, not comply P1 licence no P plates, motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45km/h and P1 driver under 25-years-old drive at night with more than one passenger less than 21-years-old. He is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 16 May 2024.
About 8.30am on Saturday (30 March 2024), officers attached to Inverell Traffic and Highway Patrol detected a Ford Falcon travelling west on the Gwydir Highway at Inverell at 90 km/h in a signposted 50 km/h zone. The driver, a 30-year-old man, was subjected to a roadside breath test returning a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Inverell Police Station where a secondary breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.144. He was issued a court attendance notice for mid-range PCA and is due to appear at Inverell Local Court on Tuesday 9 May 2024. He was also issued an infringement for exceed speed more than 30km/h and his licence was suspended.
About 2pm on Saturday (30 March 2024), police stopped an Audi A3 on Wattle Street, Flinders and the driver, a 43-year-old woman, was subjected to a roadside breath test, returning a positive result. She was arrested and taken to lake Illawarra Police Station where a secondary breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.202. Inquiries also revealed the woman’s licence was suspended. She was charged with high range PCA and drive whilst suspended and is due to appear at Port Kembla Local court on Wednesday 10 April 2024.
About 4.20pm, Saturday (30 March 2024), officers attached to Richmond Traffic and Highway Patrol were performing speed enforcement duties on Summerland Way at Leeville, when they detected a Honda Civic travelling at 155km/h in a 100km/h zone. The P1 licence driver, a 28-year-old man from Byron Bay, was issued a penalty notice for exceed speed more than 45km/h. His provisional licence was suspended for six months, and the number plates were also confiscated.
About 1am on Sunday (31 March 2024), officers attached to Parramatta Traffic and Highway Patrol were performing speed enforcement duties on the M2 at North Rocks when they detected a Lexus travelling at 203 km/h in a signposted 100km/h zone. The driver, a 38-year-old man from Baulkham Hills, was subjected to a roadside breath test, returning a positive result. He was arrested and taken to The Hills Police Station where a secondary breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.089. An oral fluid test also returned a positive result for cocaine. He was issued a court attendance notice for mid-range PCA and drive with illicit drug in oral fluid to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 16 May 2024. He was also issued an infringement for exceed speed limit more than 45 km/h and his licence was suspended.
About 11.45pm on Sunday (31 March 2024), officers attached to Hunter Valley Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting speed enforcement duties on the New England Highway at Singleton, when they detected a Kia Sportage travelling north at 135km/h in a 60 km/ph. Officers attempted to stop the Kia; however, it failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated. At Rix’s Creek Hill, the Kia lost control and left the roadway crashing into trees. The driver, a 42-year-old woman, was arrested and subjected to a roadside breath test, returning a positive result. She was arrested and taken to Singleton Police Station before complaining of minor injuries. She was assessed by paramedics and taken to Singleton Hospital for treatment and also underwent blood testing. The woman was issued a court attendance notice for police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerous, exceed speed more than 45km/h. Her licence was also suspended. She is due to appear at Singleton Local Court on Thursday 13 June 2024. Inquires continue.
Monday (1 April 2024)
Key statistics (state-wide totals).
• Speed infringements: 5,709
• Breath tests: 232,092
• Drug-driving tests: 17,256
• PCA charges: 295
• Major crashes: 311
• Fatalities: 8 Crashes, 8 Deaths
Further region breakdown:
CENTRAL METRO:
• Speed infringements: 468
• Breath tests: 38,814
• Drug-driving tests: 2,081
• PCA charges: 41
• Major crashes: 56
• Fatalities: 1 crash, 1 death
SOUTH WEST METRO:
• Speed infringements:1,036
• Breath tests:49,635
• Drug-driving tests: 4,780
• PCA charges: 31
• Major crashes: 82
• Fatalities: 2 crashes, 2 deaths
NORTH WEST METRO:
• Speed infringements: 719
• Breath tests: 39,476
• Drug-driving tests: 3,255
• PCA charges: 52
• Major crashes: 50
• Fatalities: 0
NORTHERN:
• Speed infringements: 1419
• Breath tests: 36,867
• Drug-driving tests: 2,291
• PCA charges: 88
• Major crashes: 61
• Fatalities: 1 crash, 1 death
SOUTHERN:
• Speed infringements: 1,421
• Breath tests: 43,771
• Drug-driving tests: 2,780
• PCA charges: 48
• Major crashes: 35
• Fatalities: 3 crashes, 3 deaths
WESTERN:
• Speed infringements: 646
• Breath tests:19,514
• Drug-driving tests: 1113
• PCA charges: 35
• Major crashes: 27
• Fatalities: 1 crash, 1 death
