NSW POLICE have targeted motorists affected by alcohol, drugs and fatigue during a three-day operation.
Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) ran from 21-23 August across all NSW roads.
During this period, police conducted more than 87,000 breath tests and 9166 drug tests.
There were 186 drink driving offences detected and 660 positive drug samples.
Among these was an incident at Eungai Creek.
About 4.15pm on Thursday 21 August, officers from Nambucca Heads Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting stationary testing on the Pacific Highway at Eungai Creek, where they stopped a Mazda utility.
The driver, a 33-year-old South West Rocks man, returned positive tests for cocaine and alcohol (0.176).
His licence was confiscated and suspended and he was issued a notice to appear in Macksville Court on 18 September for “drive with high range PCA and illicit drug”.
Operation RAID also saw police across the state attend two fatal accidents and 261 major crashes.
There were 5577 traffic infringement notices issued, including 1342 for speed related offences, 217 for mobile phone usage, and 71 seatbelt/helmet related offences.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said that police will continue to target dangerous drivers but real change starts with the choices people make before they even turn the key.
“These numbers are a sobering reminder that driving is a responsibility not a right.
“People don’t get into a car expecting their lives to change forever but it happens every day.
“A split second of carelessness or recklessness can mean someone never makes it home.”
Assistant Commissioner David Driver, Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol, said the results of Operation RAID are a reminder that anyone who presents a danger on the road will become a focus.
“If you are contemplating this type of dangerous behaviour, have a good think about your actions.
“Think about other innocent road users, those in your vehicle and the families that will be impacted by your actions or inactions, including your own.
“Our commitment to reducing road trauma doesn’t stop when Operation RAID concludes.
Police will continue to maintain a strong presence on the roads.”
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