THE verdict is out.
Hawkesbury drivers are continuing to live life in the fast lane despite constant warnings and safety campaigns urging them not to.
Operation Safe Arrival, the annual Christmas/New Year traffic enforcement campaign has delivered some disturbing results for the Hawkesbury region.
More than 115 motorists were busted putting the pedal to the metal and driving well over the speed limit during the two-week period (Dec 21, 2012 to Jan 4, 2013) compared with just 69 in 2011.
That’s 46 more drivers driving recklessly on our roads and putting their lives and those of others at risk.
Just two months into the New Year, the Gazette has already reported on three road fatalities in the area.
“It is disappointing that the speeding message is not getting through to a number of motorists in the community,” acting senior sergeant of Hawkesbury Highway Patrol Robert Toynton told the Gazette.
Drink-driving offences were a little better than in previous years. Out of 4549 random breath tests, Hawkesbury Highway Patrol charged 11 people with PCA offences, compared with 12 in 2011.
Acting Senior Sergeant Toynton said there was a decrease in restraint offences with an overall reduction of five.
In total, two motorists were caught not wearing the correct restraints. Seven were observed in 2012. “This is a positive,” A/senior sergeant Toynton said.