One in 10 motorists returned positive drug or alcohol readings during a two-day police traffic operation in the state’s Central West.
Operation #721 was initiated by officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Canobolas Local Area Command to investigate drink and drug-driving in the region.
On Friday April 11 and Saturday April 12, 81 random drug and breath tests were conducted throughout Orange.
Eight people – five men and three women – returned positive results.
A taxi driver was one of the eight people issued a court attendance notice after he was caught allegedly driving under the influence of a prohibited drug.
Police stopped the 33-year-old man while he was driving his taxi along Margaret Street.
He was arrested after returning a positive roadside drug test and issued a court attendance notice for driving under the influence of a prohibited drug.
He’ll appear at Orange Local Court on a date to be set.
Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said it’s disappointing the number of motorists who chose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
‘One in 10 motorists stopped during this operation were driving with drugs in their system or they were over the blood alcohol limit. That number is extremely disappointing,’ Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.
‘Our Easter road safety campaign will be underway this week and motorists can expect to see more officers on our roads targeting these offences.’
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