DRIVER ALLEGEDLY CAUGHT TWICE IN ONE NIGHT FOR DRINK DRIVING DURING OPERATION SLOWDOWN
Operation Slowdown has so far netted 3176 traffic infringement notices for speeding, and 43 charges related to driving while under the influence, over the long weekend.
The police operation is a high-visibility state-wide traffic operation, and while the number of crash deaths and injuries this long weekend are down, police say the number of drivers caught speeding is a concern.
Some incidents of interest for Day 2 of Operation Slowdown in our region include:
– Around 12.30am on Saturday, police were conducting stationary speed enforcement duties on the Pacific Highway at Ewingsdale, west of Byron Bay when they allegedly detected a Toyota Hilux utility travelling at 170kmh in a 100km/h zone. The driver was stopped and allegedly provided a blood alcohol sample of 0.097. The 24-year-old man from Queensland was charged with mid-range drink-driving among other charges. Police have been told the man was allegedly stopped earlier that night by Queensland Police and charged with drink-driving; his licence suspended in Queensland before being caught by NSW Police.
– Just after 7am on Saturday, Grafton police were patrolling the Pacific Highway at Glenugie when they allegedly detected a sedan travelling at 170km/h in a 100km/h zone. The driver was issued with a traffic infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h and had his driving licence provisions suspended in NSW.
Operation Slowdown commenced at 12.01am on Thursday 29 September, and will run until 11.59pm on Monday 3 October.
