A NEW push to report drink and drug drivers could be the difference between life and death on Riverina roads.
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The joint effort between Traffic and Highway Patrol and Crime Stoppers urges road users to report drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving under the new Four Ds campaign which launched on December 1.
Riverina Traffic and Highway Patrol Acting Inspector Ben Smith said the push would go a long way to making the region's roads safer.
"Drink and drug driving is a big part of the issue with road safety in Wagga and surrounds, and unfortunately, we can't be everywhere at once so if people see this risky behaviour, please let us know," he said.
As part of Operation Chrome in the Riverina, Acting Inspector Smith said local Highway Patrol units caught nine drink and drug drivers in just two days over the weekend.
Six drivers across Wagga and Cootamundra zones were found with either cannabis or methamphetamines in their system, while a further three drivers registered between low and mid-range blood alcohol readings.
Acting Inspector Smith said drivers could expect to see more police on the roads in the weeks ahead.
"Now that most of the border operation staff are back and our RBT drug bus has returned from border duties, expect to be pulled over for a lot more random testing," he said.
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Just because an officer may not be present at the time of an offence, Acting Inspector Smith said it did not mean the offenders would escape punishment.
"We actually had a man up for an aggravated burnout offence at an undercover car park on the corner of Morgan and Berry streets back on October 7, and after following up footage from CCTV in the area and social media, police were able to charge a 19-year-old man yesterday for that offence," he said.
"So, just because we don't see it as it happens, it doesn't mean we can't or won't follow it up."
The Four Ds campaign aims to give police extra pairs of eyes on the region's roads, with Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb offering a number of safe ways to report the crimes:
- Use a passenger to record the time of the incident and the registration of the driver's vehicle.
- If possible, keep dashcam vision of the incident and provide it to Crime Stoppers or police.
- If it's an emergency - where there is a threat to life or someone's safety - please call Triple Zero (000) through a passenger, hands-free, or pull over somewhere safe.
- If it's not an emergency, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Between January 1 and November 26 this year, 280 people have died on NSW roads with speed a factor in 28 per cent of cases, drugs a factor in 20 per cent, 16 per cent alcohol-related.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the community's support could help to save lives.
"Everyone has the right to get home safely to their loved ones at night. Reporting dangerous behaviour on our roads could be the difference between life and death."
Recent figures also suggest drivers are slipping up on Riverina roads when it comes to wearing seat belts, according to Acting Inspector Smith.
"We reviewed some statistics late last week that indicated the misuse of seat belts in serious or fatal accidents are on the rise in the Riverina," he said.
"The last few fatal accidents here indicate that seat belts were not worn."