WAGGA police are concerned by the amount of drink drivers on local roads, with more than a week still to go in the holiday crackdown.
Over the past nine days, highway patrol officers have arrested 20 drink-drivers and conducted more than 8000 random breath tests as part of Operation Safe Arrival.
Sergeant John Aichinger, of Wagga Highway Patrol, said the figure was “disappointingly high”.
“To have 20 drink-drivers in eight days is disappointingly high, and these drivers are drinking substantial amounts to get to that point,” he said. “It’s not just one or two drinks over.”
In one of the worst cases detailed on NSW roads since the operation began, a 56-year-old man was stopped on Red Hill Road on Christmas Eve after he was detected allegedly travelling at 96km/h in a 70km/h zone.
The man returned a positive roadside test and was arrested. At Wagga police station, he returned a breath analysis reading of 0.256 – more than five times the legal limit.
Sgt Aichinger urged Wagga motorists to think twice before getting behind the wheel.
“With all the messaging that is out there, I’m surprised people think it’s still OK to do this,” he said.
“With New Year’s Eve coming up, if you think there is a potential you might be having a few drinks, we’re asking people to have a plan B and not get behind the wheel.
“Do the responsible thing.”
Police also say they have issued 108 speeding infringements over the holiday period, which is not unusual, and a further 178 infringements issued for other infringements including driving using a mobile phone, driving without P-plates and vehicle defects.
Ten fines were issued for drivers not wearing a seat belt.
In another bad case at Cootamundra, a 16-year-old was detected riding an unregistered 85cc trail bike on Renehan Street without a helmet.
Police allege the motorcycle was unregistered and/or uninsured, and the rider only holding a learners permit.
The teen was issued $2549 worth of fines.
