More than two dozen drivers have returned positive results for illicit drugs around the southern Riverina, following a two-day statewide police blitz.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
During Operation Chrome, between Friday and Saturday, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command targetted poor driving behaviours on rural roads.
Speeding, drink and drug-driving, failure to wear seatbelts, mobile phone usage and driving while fatigued, were the main concerns for police.
Over the two-day blitz, 26 drivers were found to be driving under the influence of illicit drugs.
The offenders were banned from driving for 24 hours. Police are now awaiting the results of secondary tests before further legal action might be taken.
It followed the roadside breath tests of 11,785 drivers in the southern region. Altogether, 42 people were charged with drink-driving offences.
Another two people were fined for not using seatbelts appropriately.
Nearer to Junee, a total of 1217 random breath tests were conducted, including 35 oral fluid tests.
Six people were charged with driving under the influence, and another four were found to be driving with positive oral fluid.
"Operation Chrome is about highlighting the factors that contribute to rural road trauma. We made no secret that we would be out there and enforcing the law," said Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrie, of the southern region command.
Some people just don't get it and put other families lives at risk."
The push also coincides with the arrival of new laws, which take a harder stance on the issue of drink-driving.
As of Monday, anyone caught drink-driving in NSW, no matter the level, may forfeit their licence and face an on-the-spot fine of $561.
