On the final day of Operation Slow Down, a high-visibility traffic operation that launched on Friday (4 October 2019), a man has died and another is in a critical condition following a crash in the state’s north.
About 10.15am (Monday 7 October 2019), four men, all Brazilian nationals, were travelling south on the Pacific Highway at Rainbow Flats in a grey Volkswagen Golf.
The vehicle left the eastern side of the roadway and struck a tree. Reports suggest that the car swerved due to a kangaroo jumping into its path.
The driver, a 29-year-old man died at the scene.
A 25-year-old man, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was critically injured and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.
The two men seated in the rear suffered minor injuries and were taken to the same hospital.
The death takes the October long weekend road toll to six, one more than the 2018 total on the same weekend. In 2019 alone, 287 people have lost their lives on NSW roads.
Across the state, police conducted 191,229 breath tests, issued 7632 traffic infringement notices and charged 222 individuals with drink driving offences.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said it is disappointing that despite the obvious consequences, many drivers continue to ignore the warnings.
“Despite the huge amount of resources and messaging that has been invested across the state, year on year we have seen increases in crashes, injuries and deaths,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“Drivers need to realise that driving at speed, texting while driving, being under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and other irresponsible behaviour can have devastating effects on their own lives and the lives of others.”
Police are particularly concerned about driving practices in regional NSW where all the fatalities this weekend took place, in addition to increases in major crashes and persons injured.
“NSW Police will maintain our focus on keeping the people of this state safe on our roads, so if you choose to break the law expect to face consequences,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Some examples of irresponsible driver behaviour detected during day four (Monday 7 October 2019) of Operation Slow Down include;
About 11.55pm police attended a shopping centre at Denham Court in Sydney’s south west following reports a woman was asleep behind the wheel of her vehicle. Officers woke the driver before she underwent a roadside breath test. The 32-year-old returned a reading of 0.256, over five times the legal limit.
She was charged with high range drink driving and was issued a future court attendance notice to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday 19 November 2019.
About 10am Bankstown Traffic and Highway Patrol detected a vehicle travelling 95km/h in a 60km/h zone. Following a short pursuit, the driver pulled over where he was subjected to a roadside breath test. The 17-year-old returned a result of 0.132 and was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
He also underwent a drug test and tested positive for methylamphetamine and cocaine. Inquiries revealed he was also disqualified from driving
The teenager was charged with police pursuit, exceed speed over 20km/h, drive with middle range PCA and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Children’s Court on Tuesday 22 October 2019.
Key statistics (progressive total)
Speed infringements: 4,728
Breath tests: 191,229
PCA charges: 222
Major crashes: 313
Fatalities: 6
Breakdown by Region
Central Metropolitan
Speed infringements: 638
Breath tests: 30,000
PCA charges: 34
Major crashes: 59
Fatalities: 0
South West Metropolitan
Speed infringements: 774
Breath tests: 43,052
PCA charges: 28
Major crashes: 52
Fatalities: 0
North West Metropolitan
Speed infringements: 590
Breath tests: 38,339
PCA charges: 41
Major crashes: 70
Fatalities: 0
Northern
Speed infringements: 910
Breath tests: 26,231
PCA charges: 58
Major crashes: 67
Fatalities: 3
Southern
Speed infringements: 960
Breath tests: 32,287
PCA charges: 40
Major crashes: 50
Fatalities: 3
Western
Speed infringements: 611
Breath tests: 17,948
PCA charges: 21
Major crashes: 15
Fatalities: 0
Traffic and Highway Command
Speed infringements: 245
Breath tests: 3,372
