Statewide operation as police mark forty years of RBT in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

This Saturday will mark 40 years since police across the Hunter and New South Wales launched random breath testing on the State's roads.

Before RBTs in 1982, police could only stop a driver due to their manner of driving.

In the first five years following the introduction of random breath testing across the state, road fatalities fell from 1,303 in 1980 to 1,067 in 1985.

In 1980, the percentage of road fatalities linked to drink driving was 30 percent - of the 275 road fatalities recorded in NSW in 2021), 17 percent were attributed to drink driving.

The anniversary comes as police launch a statewide operation targeting drink and drug driving as the holiday season begins.

Newcastle and Hunter Highway Patrol Inspector Michael Buko says the patrol is ready to go.

"If you think you sneak past us, we know all the roads you can sneak past us on," he said. "We will have someone there."

"If you see an RBT sign and you think you can turn off into a side street, we'll have someone there."

"Just don't drink and drive or take drugs and drive. It's a simple message. It's not that hard to understand."

"There's plenty of Ubers and taxis out. Get a designated driver if you need it."

"It comes to ownership of the person driving. They need to do the right thing behind the wheel."

Inspector Michael Buko addressed reporters on Friday.

Woman Charged With Breaching COVID-19 Health Restrictions After Crash At Glendale

BY IAN CROUCH

A Cameron Park woman is due to face court in June accused of refusing to submit to a breath test and breaching the stay at home health restrictions.

Police were called to Main Road at Glendale at about 9.50pm on Wednesday after a silver Commodore sedan collided with a traffic light.

Police say the 33-year-old female driver left the scene and was arrested near her home a short time later.

It's alleged she refused to submit to a random breath test and was taken to Toronto Police Station where she again refused to submit to a breath analysis.

Her licence has been suspended and she's been granted conditional bail to face Toronto Local Court on June 30.

BREAKING! Police Assaulted During Vehicle Stop At Wallsend

BY IAN CROUCH

Three men are in custody accused of assaulting police during a vehicle stop at Wallsend overnight.

Two constables were on patrol at about 11.15pm on Monday when they stopped a sedan on Walford Street for a random breath test.

However it's alleged the three occupants of the car, a 44-year-old man and two 18-year-old males got out of the vehicle and began assaulting the two constables.

They called for urgent back-up and the trio were arrested.

Police say the 44-year-old man has been charged with high range drink driving, resist arrest and assault police,

One of the 18-year-old's has also been charged with resist arrest and assault police.

The second 18-year-old has been charged with hinder police.

The officers were taken to hospital for treatment - one has gone on immediate leave after suffering back injuries, while the other sustained minor injuries.

Police launch Operation Safe Arrival

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

NSW Police are urging Hunter drivers to remain vigilant on the roads this festive season, with the launch of 2017's Operation Safe Arrival.

The theme chosen by police this year is "Don't Let Safety Take a Backseat."

Running from midnight on Friday 15th through to New Year's Day, motorists can expect to see a heavy police presence on NSW roads.

They'll crack down on dangerous driving behaviours such as speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not wearing seatbelts and mobile phone use.

It comes after a horror year on NSW roads, with records showing our Road Toll currently stands at 383 deaths, including 14 deaths since the start of  December.

In their sights: An officer conducts a random breath test.