The irresponsible driving behavior remains a major concern for police after more than 1,000 offences were detected in school zones and nearly 900 drivers were fined for mobile phone use in less than 24 hours.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, working alongside Local Area Command Officers, targeted high-risk road users yesterday during Operation Compliance 3. Officers focused on drivers not wearing seatbelts, using mobile phones, school zone offences, and vehicle compliance.
Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, Commander of the state’s Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said it was high-risk behavior that was costing lives on our roads.
“Our officers had to issue 2,771 infringements in a single day for abysmal driver behavior, which clearly suggests some road users lack the common sense or responsibility to do the right thing,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.
“We know that seat belts save lives, so those identified for not wearing a seat belt will hopefully learn this valuable lesson.
“Despite rule changes in 2012 allowing mobile phones to be used in cradles and via Bluetooth in vehicle technology, 894 have still been identified as having the phone up to their ear, or looking down sending a text or post. This shows a complete lack of appreciation for other road users,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.
“To have 1,041 identified committing traffic offences in school zones shows a complete lack of respect for children, their parents and siblings, teachers and school staff, which is just not good enough.”
Officers also issued 520 infringements for defective vehicles, a major concern for all road users.
So far this year, 246 people have died on the state’s roads, 44 more than this time last year.
“With 124 drivers & 34 passengers, 37 motorcycle riders, two cyclists, and 49 pedestrians having lost their lives so far this year, we all need to share the road safely.”
As a result of the operation, officers issued a total of 2,771 infringements, which included;
316 infringements for drivers not wearing seat belts;
894 infringements for drivers using a mobile phone while driving;
1,041 infringements for school zone offences;
520 infringements for non-compliant vehicles.
Operation Towards Zero – focus on the safety of small trucks operating in Sydney Metro Area
Police attached to the Joint Traffic Task Force and Traffic Support Group conducted an operation utilizing marked Highway Patrol vehicles and motorcycles targeting small to medium rigid truck offences with the Parramatta, Blacktown, and Wetherill Park Local Area Commands. As a result of the operation, a number of small to medium rigid trucks were intercepted by police throughout Western Sydney.
Officers issued infringements for the following offences;
- Not wear seat belt (x7)
- Speeding (x2)
- Load restraint (x14)
- Defects (x7)
- Parking offences (x3)
- Court Attendance Notices for over-weight loads (x2)
- Substantial load breaches (unsecured load, empty pallets not restrained, 1 significant mass breach) (x3)
- Charges for a suspended & a cancelled driver (x2)
Officers also conducted 250 Random Breath Tests and 33 Random Drug Tests, with 1 car driver returning a low range reading.
Traffic & Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said while this operation was focused, was on high demand / small trucks, all road users will see more police operating on our roads to address the state’s road toll. “All road users, including delivery truck drivers, need to consider their driving behavior, particularly with more police on our roads throughout the operation,” said Assistant Commissioner Hartley.
“We are there to ensure those drivers, loaders, and particularly customers are focused on the safety of their trucks, employees, and goods, in order to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes on our roads,” Mr. Harley said.
There are further activities planned during Operation Towards Zero, focusing on other road user groups. To have trucks drivers with suspended or cancelled driver’s licenses, driving overweight, poorly loaded, and defective trucks, proves the worth of our work in preventing these trucks, drivers, and companies in becoming involved in further road trauma” he said
“With the road toll currently at 240, 41 more than this time last year, all road users need to take extra care on our roads.”
“We all have a role to play in road safety, where Traffic & Highway Patrol Command Officers are there to ensure that all drivers, vehicles, and associated companies and customers are fully accountable when operating on our roads,” said Assistant Commissioner Hartley.
