NSW Police say an alarming number of drink driving offences were detected within the Western Region during the three-day traffic operation 'Operation Slow Down' over the October long weekend.
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The high-visibility traffic operation was launched at midnight on Friday, 4 October and continued until 11.59pm Monday 7 October.
Across the region, police say they conducted 17,948 breath tests, 611 speed infringements, 21 PCA charges, and attended 15 major crashes.
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- Western Region Traffic Tactician, Inspector Ben Macfarlane, said while he was pleased to report no fatalities within the region throughout the operation, the number of drink driving offences is a concern.
"It is alarming that motorists continue to drink and drive and these offences are occurring in both remote areas and townships across the region.
"Police will continue to target these offences leading into the Christmas period with the aim of reducing road trauma across the region," Inspector Macfarlane said.
In one instance, a woman was stopped by police three times in less than three hours before being arrested and charged at Mudgee Police Station.
Police say that about 8.30am on Saturday, 5 October, Lithgow Highway Patrol stopped a Holden Astra for the purpose of an RBT. Further inquiries revealed the 29-year-old female was a suspended driver. She was issued a Licence Suspension Advice and advised she was not permitted to drive.
At 9am the same date, Mudgee Highway Patrol stopped the same driver on the Castlereagh Highway at Round Swamp. She was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice and directed not to drive.
About 11am the same date, the woman was stopped again on the Castlereagh Highway at Galambine.
She was arrested and searched, during which police allegedly located a quantity of methylamphetamine in her handbag.
The woman was taken to Mudgee Police Station where she was charged and granted conditional bail to Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday 20 November 2019.
