Two fatalities in the Northern Region, including one in the Upper Hunter, marred a high-visibility police crusade over the long weekend.
Operation Easter 2026, from 12.01am on Thursday 2 April to 11.59pm on Monday 6 April, involved officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of general duties and specialist police from all commands and districts across the state.
A double demerit period targeting speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet offences was also in place for the same period.
Throughout NSW, police issued 15,711 traffic infringement notices, including 4,800 for speed-related offences and 558 for mobile phone usage.
They also conducted more than 317,891 breath tests, with 319 drink driving infractions.
In the Northern Region, which comprises Newcastle City, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens-Hunter and Hunter Valley PDs, a total of 4,269 violations were detected, with 1,527 of those for speeding.
Officers oversaw 283 drug tests as well, with 259 returning positive.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the outcome, and fatalities, was a reminder of the consequences of unsafe driving.
“The loss of four lives is devastating… and our thoughts are with their families, friends and the first responders who attended these tragic incidents,” she stated.
“Police saturated our roads over the long weekend, but enforcement alone cannot prevent all tragedies.
“Every driver has a responsibility to themselves, their passengers and other road-users to make safe decisions behind the wheel.
“One poor choice can cost lives and leave a lasting impact on families and communities.
“With the Anzac Day long weekend just around the corner, we’re urging drivers to heed these warnings – slow down, stay focused and think carefully about the responsibility you have when you get behind the wheel of a car.”
Incidents of note:
- About 11.30pm on Friday 3 April, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were called to a home on Rodway Parade, Kotara, and found a ute had hit the front of a home causing serious structural damage. No injuries were reported and the residents were evacuated. A 23-year-old man was breath-tested at the scene, allegedly returning a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.155. The man was charged with drive with high-range PCA. He was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 30 April
- Shortly before 6pm on Sunday 5 April, police allege a 17-year-old male provisional licence holder was detected travelling at 191km/h in a 70km/h zone southbound along the Old Pacific Highway, Somersby. He was issued an infringement notice for P1 driver exceed speed limit over 45km/h, which carries a monetary value of $3054 and 12 demerit points. The teenager’s licence was also suspended for six months
- About 9.30pm on Sunday 5 April, two people were spotted stealing fuel from a construction site in Black Hill
NSW Police will conduct another traffic operation across the Anzac Day long weekend from Friday 24 April to Monday 27 April.
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