Operation Slow Down: Hunter Police Out in Force This Weekend

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Operation Slow Down is in force this weekend from midnight tonight until 11:59pm on Monday the Hunter's roads.

Double demerits will be in place for speeding, mobile phone use behind the wheel, and motorcycle helmet offences.

Officers will be out in force in a bid to stop fatal accidents on the region's roads. This time last year, 94 drink-drivers were caught and there were 79 major crashes of which one was fatal and 11 were alcohol-related.

"People need to take responsibility for their actions and drive to the conditions especially on country roads. Speeding is the biggest contributor to fatal crashes in NSW, about 40 per cent of fatal crashes, and when you combine speeding with drinking, driving, taking drugs, distractions or tiredness all of those combined whilst driving are disastrous," said Chief Inspector Bruce McGregor.

We're being advised to allow extra travel time as well with heavy traffic expected on M1 with the upgrade between Doyalson and Tuggerah still underway, as well as on the Pacific Highway at Hexham and Raymond Terrace.

Chief Inspector McGregor says police just want all motorists to be safe on the road to give everyone the best chance of getting home in one piece.

"I'd just ask motorists to demonstrate patience, respect for other road users, be aware of things that can happen such as kangaroos or dangerous driving manoeuvres in front. Drive defensively, and plan your trip accordingly so you do have rest and sustenance."

Sparks Fly As Police Pursue Damaged Car At Belmont

BY IAN CROUCH

A 22-year-old Lambton man is due to face court later this month accused of leading police on a pursuit while drunk behind the wheel at Belmont.

Officers noticed a Toyota Camry with badly damaged wheels on the Pacific Highway at about 1.30am on Thursday - the car was being driven on the rim of one wheel, producing a shower of sparks.

However, the driver refused to stop when they tried to pull him over.

They followed the car up the highway to Belmont North where it was forced to stop due to the severe damage.

It's alleged the 22-year-old returned a mid-range blood alcohol reading and was driving without a licence.

Woman knocked down by drunk driver in Nelson Bay

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A woman remains in a serious but stable condition in the John Hunter Hospital after being knocked down by a drunk driver at Nelson Bay.

Police say the 25-year-old was walking along Magnus Street early yesterday morning when she was hit by a Mazda utility.

The vehicle then crossed the road and collided with the front of a house.

Police say the driver, a 43-year-old man, later returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.170.

He's due to face court next month after being charged with high range drink driving and causing bodily harm.

Operation Tortoise all over after a bumper long weekend on Hunter roads

BY JESSICA ROUSE

If you were unlucky enough to be stuck in Easter long weekend traffic yesterday, you certainly weren't alone.

Traffic was crawling along the M1 motorway from Morisset all the way to Wyong for more than 25km, and closer to home in Heatherbrae, the Pacific Highway had its fair share of congestion.

All of the traffic eventually cleared at about 8:30pm last night.

Operation Tortoise wrapped up at midnight after four days of cracking down on speeding, drink-driving and a host of other common offences on Hunter's roads.

Across the region, police handed out over 400 speeding tickets, 1,200 Random Breath Tests (RBT) which found 27 people drink driving.

The state's road toll climbed to 11 over the long weekend, four this year have been on Hunter's roads and includes the 27-year-old man who lost his life in an accident at Brandy Hill last Thursday.

Senior police used the weekend to plead with drivers to slow down and be patient with heavy traffic throughout the state, but it didn't stop some people from putting their lives at risk.

A 19-year-old woman was caught on Newcastle Link Road driving at 143km/h in the 90km/h speed zone on a suspended Learners license on Sunday night.

She was charged with a number of offenses and will face Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 27th April 2017.

Hunter Motorists Urged to Slow Down this Easer Long Weekend

BY SARAH JAMES

Hunter drivers are being urged to slow down this long weekend, with Operation Tortoise coming into effect today with double demerit points starting at midnight.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary says too many lives are still being lost on our roads, and is appealing to drivers to take it 'slow and steady'

"Last year's 2016 Easter road toll saw two fatalities on NSW roads and this year our goal is zero," he said.

"Sadly, many of us have, or will, at some stage in our lives, experience the devastating effects of road trauma and at a time where there are more people than usual using the roads we must endeavour to stay safe."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of double-demerit enforcement, which is estimated to have helped save 433 lives.

In addition to targeted police enforcement to deter dangerous behaviour such as speed, drink-driving, texting, and non-seat belt use, people can expect to see more education and awareness campaigns in high-risk locations over the Easter break.

NSW Police and Ambulance NSW are reminding drivers to take a break if driving for long periods of time, and if they plan on drinking, always make sure you have a Plan B.

Woman Charged with Speeding and Drink Driving with Three Children in Car

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

A woman has been charged with mid-range Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol (PCA) and speeding after she was stopped in Cessnock on Friday.

The 32-year-old woman was pulled over by Traffic and Highway Patrol Command for allegedly travelling 135km/h in an 80km/h zone along Ellalong Road in Ellalong.

She was then breath tested where she allegedly returned a blood analysis reading of 0.097.

The woman had three children passengers in the car, two aged seven and one aged five .

Family and Community Services have reportedly been notified.

The woman was arrested before being taken to Cessnock Police Station.

She is due to face Cessnock Local Court on the 21st of December 2016.

Police out in force for Operation Saturation

BY JARROD MELMETH

Hunter Traffic and Highway patrol officers will commence a state-wide operation tomorrow to target road users putting themselves and others at risk.

Operation Saturation - part of Operation Towards Zero - begins tomorrow and concludes on 27 November 2016 and comes at a time when the states road toll has reached 342 deaths so far this year.

The high visibility crack down will be focusing on speeding, illegal mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet compliance, driver fatigue and drink and drug driving, with officers engaging with road users to raise their awareness and educate them on the risks of irresponsible road use.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Acting Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy says the responsibility of reducing road trauma lies with every person using the road.

"Drivers, riders, cyclists, passengers and pedestrians all have to play a part in assisting us to bring this tragic and avoidable loss of life to an end." he said.

"We will ensure that anyone caught taking risks, or risking the lives of others, will be stopped and dealt with according to the law."

So far this year, 342 people have died on NSW roads, 32 more than the same time last year.

Photo source: NSW Police

Disqualified Driver Allegedly Caught Drunk Behind The Wheel With Young Son In Car

BY IAN CROUCH

 A man's been caught drink driving on a disqualified licence with his young son in the car at Raymond Terrace.

Officers pulled over a Holden Commodore utility being driven by a 42-year-old man on Wahroonga Street just before 5.00pm yesterday - his 7-year-old son was sitting beside him in the front passenger seat.

The man was arrested after failing a roadside breath test - police also determined he was disqualified from driving until October 2018.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where it's alleged he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.087.

He's been charged with mid-range drink driving and disqualified driving and has been granted bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on 14 November 2016.