Operation Fume was held last Friday and Saturday, targeting drug and alcohol driving offences as well as general road compliance on the M5/Hume Highway between Beverly Hills and Menangle.
The high-visibility operation involved officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, supported by general duties officers from local police districts.
Operation Fume commander, Inspector Gregory Donaldson, said operations such as Fume were conducted to ensure the safety of all road users.
“Despite motorists being fully aware that NSW Police regularly target alcohol and drug-impaired drivers through these types of operations, it is very disturbing how many people are still caught committing offences of this nature,” said Insp Donaldson
“It’s well-documented that alcohol is one of the major causes of crashes on our roads, yet a concerning number of drivers still choose to drink and drive, putting the lives of other motorists at risk.
“The message is simple: don’t drive if you’ve been drinking,” Insp Donaldson said.
Of the 79 people charged with PCA offences, eight drivers were charged after returning alleged high-range readings, 37 mid-range, 29 low-range, and five special/novice range.
Police also conducted 672 roadside drug tests, resulting in 38 positive drug tests. Further action is dependent on the outcomes once test results are returned. The licences of all drivers returning a positive roadside drug test are suspended for 24 hours.
There were 30 fines issued for mobile phone offences, 25 for restraint offences, and 29 for speeding.
A total of 37 vehicles were searched, 41 people were searched and eight drug detections were made during the operation, with police seizing illicit drugs including ice, cocaine and cannabis. Inquiries are continuing.
• A 36-year-old woman has been charged with high-range PCA after allegedly failing to stop at an RBT site at Riverwood about 11pm last Saturday. The driver was directed to stop at the RBT site on the Belmore Road M5 exit ramp but allegedly drove away. She was stopped a short distance away and subjected to a roadside test which proved positive. She was arrested and subjected to a BAS which returned an alleged reading of 0.159. She’s been charged with high-range PAC and her licence has been suspended. The woman, from Lugarno, has been given a court attendance notice to Bankstown Court.
• A 54-year-old man has been charged with mid-range PCA after being stopped at a stationary RBT site on Campbelltown Road at Campbelltown about 9.45pm last Saturday. He was arrested and subjected to a BAS which returned an alleged reading of 0.081. His licence was suspended and the man, from Bankstown, will appear in Campbelltown Local Court in coming weeks.
Further operations will be conducted in coming months.
