MOTORISTS in Western NSW are simply not getting the message this long weekend, with 159 detected speeding and one caught seven times over the drink driving limit.
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Operation Stay Alert commenced on Friday and will run until 11.59pm on Monday in an effort to reduce Western NSW's growing road toll.
Despite "saturation policing" on the region's roads, Western Region Traffic Tactician Inspector Ben Macfarlane said a number of drivers had been caught doing the wrong thing.
By the third day of the operation, police had already issued 159 speeding fines in Western NSW, including 19 in Chifley, followed by Orana Mid Western (18), Central North (eight), and Central West (five).
Also, 134 fines have been issued for a range of other infringements, with an additional 11 for restraint offences.
Checks revealed the man was a 15-year-old who has never held a driver's licence.
- NSW Police Western Region Traffic Tactician Inspector Ben Macfarlane
In the three days, police conducted 4134 random breath tests across Western NSW, including 744 in the Orana Mid Western region, followed by Chifley (550), Central West (286) and Central North (209).
Among those caught during the RBTs was a 40-year-old Orange woman who was caught seven times over the legal drink driving limit.
The woman was pulled over by officers at 9.25pm on Saturday while driving on Molong Road and she returned a reading of 0.351 which is more than seven times the legal drink driving limit.
The motorist was also subject to interlock device restrictions, however, the vehicle was not fitted with the device.
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In Bathurst at 12.55am on Monday, police stopped a 27-year-old Bathurst man for a random mobile breath test, he returned a high range reading of 0.201 and was issued with a notice to attend court.
Also in Bathurst, a man was charged after he allegedly permitted his 15-year-old nephew to drive a car at 12.40am on Monday.
Insp Macfarlane said the vehicle was stopped for a random breath test on George Street and the motorist was unable to produce a driver's licence.
"Checks revealed the man was a 15-year-old who has never held a driver's licence," he said.
"Further inquiries revealed his uncle, a 29-year-old Bathurst man who was travelling with him, permitted the 15-year-old to drive.
"Subsequently the 29-year-old was issued with an infringement notice for 'employ unlicensed driver' and the 15-year-old man will be charged with 'never held licence - 1st offence' and dealt with under the Young Offender's Act."
Meanwhile, officers pulled over a vehicle on Mort Street in Lithgow on Saturday at 11pm after it had been "attempting to evade police".
Insp Macfarlane said a 20-year-old female learner driver was breath tested and returned a reading 0.120.
She was issued with infringements for being an unaccompanied learner, not having L-plates on her vehicle, driving with a suspended licence and a drink driving offence.
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
