MORE than 708 drivers have been detected allegedly driving with drugs in their systems during a statewide police traffic operation.
Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers), which ran from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 May, focused on roadside testing to identify people who may be driving while affected by alcohol and drugs.
During the operation, police conducted 8,460 drug tests with 708 people returning positive samples and conducted more than 161,397 breath tests with 211 drink driving offences detected.
While the operation focused on detecting drivers operating a vehicle impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue, the high-visibility operation saw police across the state issue more than 5,213 other traffic infringement notices, including 1,904 for speed-related offences, 363 for mobile phone use, and 109 restraint-related offences.
During the operation, a major incident unfolded at Nerong.
About 8.55am on Friday 8 May, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District responded to reports of a crash.
Upon arrival, police located a vehicle that had crashed into bushland off the Pacific Highway.
No injuries were reported.
Following inquiries, the driver – a 25-year-old man from Sydney – was found to be an alleged disqualified driver with two outstanding warrants for alleged break and enter offences.
The man underwent mandatory testing, which allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with “break and enter dwelling-house etc with intent (steal)”, “drive motor vehicle during disqualification period”, “driver or rider state false name or home address”, and “negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm)”.
In a separate incident, one person lost their life in Cabramatta.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said driving impaired was selfish, reckless and deadly.
“Driving impaired with drugs or alcohol in your system is a dangerous choice that can kill someone,” Minister Catley said.
“Police cannot sit in the driver’s seat with you.
“Every driver has a responsibility to make sure they are fit to get behind the wheel.
“Operation RAID may have concluded, but enforcement does not stop.
“If you are putting lives at risk on NSW roads, police will get you.”
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