Police have charged hundreds of motorists for speeding, drink driving and other dangerous driving offences during Operation Christmas New Year 2024.
Operation Christmas/New Year 2024 commenced at 12.01am Friday 20 December 2024, and concluded at 11.59pm on New Year’s Day.
Double demerit points were in force for the duration of the operation for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences.
The Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, together with local police, patrolled roads across the state, targeting dangerous driving behaviour and risks on the roads – with the aim of preventing injury and death.
During the period, police saw a concerning number of dangerous driving incidents, including excessive speed, high-range drink-driving, and reckless driving.
Across the state, police issued 9,719 speed infringements, laid 720 drink-driving charges and 1,725 positive roadside drug detections, attended 1,009 major crashes, and conducted 438,328 breath tests.
Tragically, ten people died in crashes over the period, four more than during the operation last year.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracey Chapman, Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said that she still can’t comprehend why drivers choose to disobey road rules during the festive period.
“We have seen an increase in dangerous drivers, with some of the highest numbers of speeding and drink driving offences being detected during this festive period.
“Many of these drivers will accuse police of ruining their fun during the Christmas and New Year period, but these drivers have chosen to disobey the road rules, they have chosen to put other motorists at risk.” A/Assistant Commissioner Chapman said.
“Police aren’t going to stop going after these drivers, so it is up to them to change their actions or get caught. Over 1700 drivers were detected driving with the presence of drugs in their system, close to 10,000 were speeding. These aren’t the numbers we want to see.
“I continue to urge all drivers and passengers that if you see dangerous driving to contact police and keep our roads safe.
Some examples of dangerous driver behaviour detected during the operation include:
About 4pm Tuesday 24 December 2024, officers attached to Yass Highway Patrol were patrolling the Hume Highway, Jugiong, when they attempted to stop a Jeep SUV allegedly speeding. When the driver allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated; however, the pursuit was terminated due to the manner of driving. About 5.40pm, officers attached to Murray River Highway Patrol again attempted to stop the Jeep SUV in Table Top, which was allegedly travelling at over 240km/h. Police deployed road spikes stopping the car on East Street, Albury. The 29-year-old driver was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, use motor vehicle number plate obscured/defaced, possess drug and goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen. The man was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 25 December 2024.
About 6.40am Tuesday 24 December 2024, officers attached to Forester Traffic and Highway Patrol were patrolling the Pacific Highway, Nabiac, when they stopped a Ivenco van. During a search of the vehicle police located and seized 1,584,000 cigarettes, 6,000 vapes and $2,870 cash. The estimated street value of the items seized is over $2,586,000. The driver, a 57-year-old man, was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, restricted substance sold by no wholesaler, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime less than $5,000 and drive while driver visiting privileges withdrawn. The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Taree Local Court on Tuesday 4 February 2025.
About 6pm on Sunday 29 December 2024, police stopped a B double combination truck along the Newell Highway, Dubbo, for the purpose of an RBT. The 37-year-old male driver returned a positive reading. He was taken to Dubbo Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis allegedly returning a reading of 0.084. His licence was suspended, and the man was charged with drive with middle range PCA and is due to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday 5 February 2025.
About 5pm Monday 30 December 2024, officers attached to Brisbane Water Traffic and Highway Patrol were patrolling Peats Ridge Road, Somersby, when they detected a motorcycle allegedly speeding. Police followed the motorcyclist which they allege was being ridden at 177km/h in a 110km/h zone. After a short time, the rider - an off-duty police officer attached to Northern Region - stopped in Tuggerah and police issued him a traffic infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h. The man’s licence was also suspended. An internal review will be conducted.
REGIONAL STATISTICS
Western Region, including Chifley Distric and Cowra Police Station
Restraint (seatbelt) Infringements – 37uspected of being stolen. The man was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 25 December 2024.
About 6.40am Tuesday 24 December 2024, officers attached to Forester Traffic and Highway Patrol were patrolling the Pacific Highway, Nabiac, when they stopped a Ivenco van. During a search of the vehicle police located and seized 1,584,000 cigarettes, 6,000 vapes and $2,870 cash. The estimated street value of the items seized is over $2,586,000. The driver, a 57-year-old man, was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, restricted substance sold by no wholesaler, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime less than $5,000 and drive while driver visiting privileges withdrawn. The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Taree Local Court on Tuesday 4 February 2025.
About 6pm on Sunday 29 December 2024, police stopped a B double combination truck along the Newell Highway, Dubbo, for the purpose of an RBT. The 37-year-old male driver returned a positive reading. He was taken to Dubbo Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis allegedly returning a reading of 0.084. His licence was suspended, and the man was charged with drive with middle range PCA and is due to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday 5 February 2025.
About 5pm Monday 30 December 2024, officers attached to Brisbane Water Traffic and Highway Patrol were patrolling Peats Ridge Road, Somersby, when they detected a motorcycle allegedly speeding. Police followed the motorcyclist which they allege was being ridden at 177km/h in a 110km/h zone. After a short time, the rider - an off-duty police officer attached to Northern Region - stopped in Tuggerah and police issued him a traffic infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h. The man’s licence was also suspended. An internal review will be conducted.
REGIONAL STATISTICS
Mobile phone infringements – 18
Speed infringements – 1,196
Breath Tests – 38,945
PCA charges – 69
Drug-driving detections – 155
Fatal Crashes – 1
Lives Lost – 1
Reported major crashes – 66
People injured – 33