Yasmin Catley is frustrated… and you can understand why.
Despite a high-visibility statewide campaign, eight people still died on NSW roads during the 17-day Operation Christmas and New Year 2025.
From Friday 19 December to Sunday 4 January, which incorporated double demerits, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command police, as well as officers from all districts, targeted drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phone use, speeding, seat belt and helmet offences.
Sadly, there were three fatalities in the Northern Region, an area that also comprises the Newcastle City, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens-Hunter and Hunter Valley PDs.
Police handed out 11,571 infringements, too, including 4,064 for speeding.
They conducted 116,029 tests, resulting in 289 PCA charges, while 729 people recorded positive drug-driving results.
Ms Catley said the outcome of the operation should concern everyone.
“We are seeing alarming rates of drug and drink driving on our roads,” the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism said.
“It makes no sense whatsoever.
“There isn’t any excuse to get behind the wheel of a car with alcohol or drugs in your system.
“The same goes for speeding, distracted driving and not wearing a seatbelt or a helmet.
“Anyone who breaks the law is not just gambling with their life, but with the lives of their passengers and others on the road.
“Police are doing their job.
“But, we need everyone else to do theirs.”
Throughout NSW, police oversaw 29,302 random drug tests, with 2,415 drug-driving offences detected.
They also caught 939 drink-drivers.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said while most drivers were well-behaved, he was alarmed by the rise in drug detections as well.
“Most people are heeding advice and not partaking in risky driving behaviour.
“However, more than 2,400 individuals tested positive to driving with drugs in their system during the 17-day operation.
“Our message remains clear and simple.
“If you choose to consume alcohol or drugs, do not drive.
“While Operation Christmas and New Year 2025 has concluded, the school holidays are ongoing… and families are on the roads across the state.
“We urge everyone to drive to the conditions and take their responsibility as a motorist seriously.”
For more news stories:
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- Residents in clean-up mode after severe thunderstorm hits Lower Hunter
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