Driver busted at 187 km/h

By Jo Kennett

A QUEENSLAND man was caught driving 187 km/h on the M1 at Sleepy Hollow on Sunday, January 29, one of a number of people issued with fines as part of Operation Australia Day.

Far North Coast Highway Patrol Traffic Management Inspector Dave Vandergriend said the operation ran from January 25 to 29 and coincided with double demerit points for certain offences.

“At 4.30pm on Sunday, January 29, a silver Hyundai was detected on the M1 at Sleepy Hollow at 187 km/h in a 110 zone,” Insp Vandergriend said.

“A 30-year-old male from Queensland was issued a penalty notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 40km/h and a licence suspension notice.

“They can still drive in Queensland for the duration of the notice which is three months but they can’t drive in NSW and he got a $2,616 fine.”

Operation Australia Day saw 2,779 random breath tests carried out in the Tweed-Byron Police District.

A total of 15 drivers were charged with drink driving, there were two drivers charged over positive drug tests, 69 speeding offences, 13 seatbelt and helmet offences, eight mobile phone offences, and 137 other offences were detected according to Inspector Vandergriend.

“It’s a very busy time on the roads with school holidays finishing and everyone returning home to prepare for the school and work year ahead,” he said.

“It’s still disappointing to see the number of speeding and drink driving offences detected but it reinforces to me the need to maintain our focus in these areas to keep the community as safe as possible on our roads.

“We have some Operation Fume operations that will be held throughout February which focus on alcohol and drug-affected drivers where we saturated certain areas with highway patrol vehicles and have an impact that way.

“That gives a high profile through the duration of the summer months when there is a higher rate of drink drivers detected throughout the police district.”

More than 12,000 drivers in NSW were charged or fined during the high-visibility operation.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden, said while it was positive that two fewer people had lost their lives on the roads, he was appalled by the choices made by some people who still chose to drink and drive.

“Cases where people return alleged readings of up to eight times the legal limit is chilling, when I know the risk it poses to other road users,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.

“The overwhelming majority of people on NSW roads choose to take personal responsibility and choose to make the right decision, and they trust others to also make the correct choices.

“When a driver chooses to drink and drive, they put at risk the lives of every other person in their environment.”