Mother Allegedly Caught Driving Almost Six Times Over The Limit At Wallsend

BY IAN CROUCH

A woman is due to front court next month accused of driving with a blood alcohol reading almost six times the legal limit at Wallsend.

Police say the 40-year-old was on her way to collect her daughter from school on Thursday afternoon when her Mazda 2 collided with an unoccupied parked car in Boscowan Street in the school zone near Wallsend Public School.

No-one was injured in the collision.

Highway Patrol officers breath tested the woman - they say she was so drunk she couldn't stand.

She was taken to Waratah Police Station where it's alleged she returned a blood alcohol reading of point 2-9-6.

The woman's had her licence suspended and has been granted conditional bail to face Newcastle Local Court on July 18 charged with high range drink driving.

Police Urge School Holiday Vigilance on Roads

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

With traffic expected to ramp-up on Hunter roads for tomorrow's school holiday launch, Newcastle Police are reminding drivers to stay safe.

They'll launch Operation Compliance, which sees all general duties and highway officers patrolling our roads, checking speed and conducting breath and drug tests.

Chief Inspector Bruce McGregor says officers will also be cracking down on unsafe cars. 

"All police will be out and about ensuring people aren't using their mobile phones while driving, wearing a seatbelt and looking at vehicle standards such as checking tyres are legal, working indicators and brake lights etcetera," he said.

The Relieving Traffic Tactician is issuing a plea to motorists to slow down and be careful, after 388 people died on NSW roads in the period from June 2017 to June this year.

"I just want to remind all motorists that police will be very vigilant and active until the 23rd of July," Inspector McGregor said.

Dangerous Police Pursuit Called Off At Glendale

BY IAN CROUCH

The driver of a stolen car has managed to evade police during a dangerous pursuit at Glendale.

Highway patrol officers were patrolling Glendale Drive just after 9.30pm on Wednesday when their number plate recognition system alerted them to a white Holden Commodore which had been reported stolen from Toronto last week.

The driver sped off when they tried to pull him over, with the car reaching 100 kilometres per hour in an 80 zone during the 5 minute pursuit.

Officers called off the chase when the driver crossed to the wrong side of the road.