A “citizens’ arrest” has resulted in a man being charged with high-range drink driving after a collision in Newcastle on day seven of the state-wide Christmas and New Year’s road safety operation.
About 9pm on Wednesday 30 December, a Ford Ranger collided heavily with two parked vehicles on Kahibah Road, Charlestown.
Several members of the public witnessed the incident and followed the Ranger where the front passenger’s side wheel fell off.
The vehicle continued driving into nearby Camrose Street, coming to a stop on a median strip.
The witnesses then detained the 38-year-old male driver and contacted police.
Upon arrival, the man was breath-tested which returned a positive reading.
He was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where he underwent an analysis, registering 0.240 – almost five times over the legal limit.
The man was issued a court attendance notice to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 3 February 2021.
He has also been issued a licence suspension notice.
The NSW Police operation started at 12.01am last Thursday (24 December) and concludes at 11.59pm on Sunday (3 January).
Double demerit points are also in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
Officers will target other high-risk driver behaviour, including the Four Ds; drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving, too.
So far, 5,964 speeding fines and 5,182 infringement notices have been issued.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb is appealing to all road users to end 2020, and start 2021, thinking of their family and friends.
“The worst job that any police officer can do is to tell someone that a loved one has lost their life in a car crash,” she said.
“What makes this harder is that this is totally preventable.
“Simply, abiding by the road rules and being alert will prevent a tragedy.
“One of the major factors in many fatal collisions is speed and it’s concerning to see several drivers detected at dangerously high speeds in the past 24 hours.
“I cannot believe the stupidity of some people who think they can travel at these speeds and get away with it.”
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