Since the start of Operation Merret one in five tested Hawkesbury motorists have been caught driving under the influence of drugs.
Operation Merret has been running state wide since March 11 and will run through until May.
The operation is an unorthodox and proactive approach to road policing, aimed at educating and empowering the public to make the right decisions on our roads.
Since the start of the campaign Hawkesbury police, including general duties officers, detectives and plain clothed officers have been tasked to take part in the operation and help curb the road toll.
From March 14 to Monday just gone, local police have conducted well over 3000 breath tests and close to 100 road side drug tests.
Hawkesbury Inspector Peter Jenkins spoke to the Gazette about the results.
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“Operation Merret has been brought in as a counter measure to stem the road toll,” Insp Jenkins said.
“From March 14 to Monday we have done 3778 breath tests … of those we have had 36 positive tests and 29 have had legal actions.
“We would prefer 3778 tests and no charges, because that means we still have 29 people that have been driving on our roads in the Hawkesbury intoxicated.
“We have also done 97 road side drug tests, of those we have had 18 positives. That’s one in five. The state average is one in ten.”
Insp Jenkins said the message local police were hoping to get out to motorists was that reducing the road toll was a “whole community approach”.
He urged all drivers to take responsibility and accountability behind the wheel, drive to the conditions of the road and never be complacent.
“If this operation can save just one life then it has been successful.”
Across NSW in four weeks since the start of Operation Merret, more than 30,000 infringements have been issued for a variety of offences including speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving.
Minister Grant said motor vehicle crashes don’t just impact the drivers or motorcyclists involved – they tear families apart and cause unimaginable grief among our communities.
“These school holidays, I urge drivers to slow down, wear a seatbelt and put your mobile down. Don’t risk innocent lives by making poor decisions.”
NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn urged all road users to take personal responsibility and stay alert on NSW roads over the busy school holiday period.
“While we have seen a lot of positive feedback from the community, it is sad to see that the 30,000+ infringements represent 30,000 people who made a decision to put themselves and others at risk over the past four weeks.
“With an increase in road users over the school holidays, we are urging all road users to be vigilant and take personal responsibility for their actions on the road.”
Since the start of Operation Merret:
- More than 30,000 infringements have been given for a variety of offences.
- More than 19,000 of the infringements were for speeding and more than 1700 for not wearing a seatbelt.
- More than 500,000 Random Breath tests have been conducted, and
- More than 1900 drivers have been charged with drink driving.