Are Hunter motorists getting the message when it comes to drink and drug driving?
It seems the answer is a disappointing “no”.
In an alarming result, this week, more than a dozen drivers were arrested during a Lake Macquarie Police District (LMPD) blitz in the course of a solitary day.
Local officers, as well as those attached to the command’s Traffic and Highway Patrol division, conducted a random drug/breath testing and traffic enforcement operation in Lake Macquarie on Tuesday 15 December.
The outcome: 16 drivers being charged, with 14 of them testing positive to driving with illicit drugs in their systems.
“It’s certainly unacceptable,” a LMPD spokesperson said.
“Year after year, there are numerous campaigns to warn motorists about the dangers of drink and drug driving.
“Clearly, they’re not paying attention – or believe they’re above the law.
“I think people forget we conduct random drug and breath testing in the rain, too.
“But, we can pop up anywhere, anytime.
“The easy way to avoid being arrested is to not do it at all.
“One provisional licence holder was also charged with drink driving after attending a pub with mates for lunch.
“Of those arrested, three were unlicensed, one was driving while suspended and another refused to submit to a roadside drug test.
“We also issued 10 traffic infringement notices for varying offences along with vehicle defect notices.
“We’ll continue to run these types of operations leading into the festive season.
“So, don’t be silly over the Christmas-New Year period.”
For more stories like this:
