Three people have died as a state-wide four-day police road traffic operation concludes.
Operation Labour Day was commenced at 12.01am on Friday (29 September 2023) and concluded at 11.59pm yesterday (Monday 2 October 2023), with double demerit point in force for the duration.
Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were assisted by general duties police from commands across the state, targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phone use, and other traffic offences.
During the operation, police issued a total of 11,080 Traffic Infringement Notices, with 3,823 issued for speeding, and a further 287 were issued for mobile phone usage. 248 people were charged for drink driving offences, and 444 returned a positive result after roadside drug tests.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden, said although the long weekend operation is over, families continue to travel around the state throughout the school holiday period and are urged to plan their trips.
“Sadly, we have lost three lives during this traffic operation – three too many. Despite the operation concluding, I’m still urging drivers to be careful on our roads and follow the rules,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.
“Our officers have seen far too many drivers this long weekend driving dangerously and putting other motorists at risk, and it needs to stop.
“Think about the consequences before you get behind the wheel and consider how your actions can affect other road users. Police will continue to target these drivers who engage in speeding, drink driving or other driving offences.”
Incidents of note include:
- About 6.15am on Friday (29 September 2023), Liverpool City Traffic and Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop a Toyota Corolla after they observed it exceeding the speed limit. The vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit ended a short time later when the driver, a 17-year-old boy, lost control at a roundabout and crashed into three parked vehicles. He was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, and learner not display “L” plates as prescribed. The driver is due to appear before Campbelltown Local Court on Monday 9 October 2023.
- About 12am on Saturday (30 September 2023), Port Macquarie Traffic and Highway Patrol officers detected a Hyundai i30 travelling at 167km/h in a 110km/h zone along the Pacific Highway, Kundabung. Police stopped the vehicle and issued the driver, a 41-year-old man, with an infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h, coupled with a six-month licence suspension notice. His licence was confiscated.
- About 12.30am on Saturday (30 September 2023), Parramatta Traffic and Highway Patrol officers stopped a Toyota Hiace on Powers Road, Seven Hills, after they observed it swerving on the road. The driver, a 30-year-old man, returned a positive roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.181 and was charged with high range PCA and will appear at Blacktown Local Court on Friday 20 October 2023. His licence was also suspended.
- About 6pm on Sunday (1 October 2023), Walgett Traffic and Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop a Holden utility travelling on Dewhurst Street, Walgett. The driver allegedly failed to stop travelling at 101km/h in a 50km/h zone on Pitt Street, Walgett. The 19-year-old male drive then excited and vehicle and attempted to flee on foot before he was arrested and taken to Walgett Police Station. He was charged with police pursuit not stop drive recklessly, exceed speed more than 45 km/h, never licenced person drive vehicle on road and use vehicle number plate not correctly. He was granted bail to appear before Walgett Local Court on Tuesday 14 November 2023.
- About 1.24am on Monday (2 October 2023), Lake Illawarra Highway Patrol officer were conducting stationary speed enforcement on the M1 Motorway, Yallah, when they detected a vehicle travelling 170kmh/h in a 100km/h hour zone. The driver – a 19-year-old woman – was issued an infringement notice for P2 driver exceed speed > 45km/h and her licence was suspended.
- About 12.55pm on Monday (2 October 2023), officers from Macarthur Highway Patrol, Police Dog Unit and PolAir attended Currans Hill following reports of three unregistered trail bikes. The riders were tracked by PolAir and a police dog as they entered a nature reserve, where they attempted to conceal their bikes from police. Three males aged 19, 18 and 16 were arrested and charged with drive/ride manner dangerous, use unregistered vehicle and use uninsured vehicle. The two older riders were also charged with drive/ride while disqualified, and all three were granted conditional bail to appear before Picton Local Court on Wednesday 25 October 2023.
- About 1pm on Monday (2 October 2023), Bankstown Highway Patrol officers stopped a vehicle in Punchbowl and subjected the driver – a 45-year-old man – to a roadside drug test which allegedly returned a positive result. Police made inquiries which revealed the man was wanted by virtue of an outstanding warrant. He was taken to Campsie Police Station where he underwent a secondary test, which again allegedly returned a positive result. He was refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday 3 October 2023 in relation to the warrant. Further charges dependant on outcome of oral fluid test.
- About 5.30pm on Monday (2 October 2023), Auburn Highway Patrol officers stopped a vehicle in Regents Park and subjected the driver – a 42-year-old man – to a roadside drug test which allegedly returned a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Auburn Police Station where he underwent a secondary test which also allegedly returned a positive result. He was charged with drive vehicle during disqualification period, and granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 7 November 2023. Further charges dependant on outcome of oral fluid test.
Key statistics (statewide totals);
• Speed infringements: 3,823
• Breath tests: 137,904
• PCA: 248
• Positive roadside drug tests: 444
• Major crashes: 286
• Fatalities: 3
Further region breakdown:
CENTRAL METRO:
• Speed infringements: 294
• Breath tests: 23,407
• PCA: 31
• Positive roadside drug tests: 88
• Major crashes: 58
• Fatalities: 1
SOUTH WEST METRO:
• Speed infringements: 578
• Breath tests: 18,697
• PCA: 28
• Positive roadside drug tests: 46
• Major crashes: 66
• Fatalities: 0
NORTH WEST METRO:
• Speed infringements: 542
• Breath tests: 21,956
• PCA: 33
• Positive roadside drug tests: 44
• Major crashes: 51
• Fatalities: 0
NORTHERN:
• Speed infringements: 1,060
• Breath tests: 29,181
• PCA: 88
• Positive roadside drug tests: 108
• Major crashes: 56
• Fatalities: 1
SOUTHERN:
• Speed infringements: 885
• Breath tests: 22,883
• PCA: 39
• Positive roadside drug tests: 103
• Major crashes: 24
• Fatalities: 0
WESTERN:
• Speed infringements: 464
• Breath tests: 19,178
• PCA: 29
• Positive roadside drug tests: 55
• Major crashes: 24
• Fatalities: 1
Anyone with information about road-related incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
