Speeders caught in police op
A STATE wide police traffic operation has been effective in the Tweed area even though some of us seem to have a bit of a leadfoot.
Richmond and Tweed/Byron traffic high patrol Senior Sergeant Bill Darnell said Operation Slowdown was successful in the Northern region, which covers from the Hawkesbury River to the Queensland border. "It was a really good run," he said.
"All numbers are in the green compared to last year with a total of 1088 infringements not relating to speed."
About 48 of the 1088 traffic infringements were people not wearing their seatbelts.
Unfortunately there were 1017 speeding violations, up 67 from last year.
"It's disappointing," Snr Sgt Darnell said.
"In a three day period it's disappointing and is excessive."
He said it was astounding so many people chose to speed over the long weekend period, especially with the onset of double demerit points.
Snr Sgt Darnell said this weekend if you were caught doing 85kmh in a 70kmh zone you acquired six demerit points, half the total allowed.
An astonishing 13,546 motorists were breath tested in the region with 22 charged with drink driving, down on last year's figures.
"A great thing is our region is fatality free," Snr Sgt Darnell said.
Last year there was one fatality.
About 23 people were injured in crashes over the weekend that is 24 less than last year's total.
Traffic jam hot-spots such as Sexton Hill was free flowing this weekend due to the major road upgrades.
Our northern brothers ran a multi-divisional street related operation called Operation Wilbert.
Coolangatta police Sergeant Billy Kaz said four people were arrested for a number of public nuisance offences in the area.
He said they were acting in a violent and aggressive manner but were not found at specific licensed premises.
Coolangatta police were also involved with Operation Emblem, run throughout the school holidays to make sure schools in the area are safe and remain vandal free.
Sgt Kaz said Operation Emblem was continuing for the next week.
