Police want end to 'stupid speeds' seen on Easter long weekend

At least one driver was detected travelling more than 45 km/h over the speed limit every day in the ACT over the Easter weekend.

Officer in Charge of ACT Road Policing Acting Inspector Nathan Macklin said the long weekend delivered “mixed results”.

“The majority of people complied with the road rules,” he said.

“However, some were still speeding. The highest we saw was 147 km/h in a 60 zone, which is just stupidity.”

Over the course of the weekend, 160 infringements were issued, mainly for speeding.

While drink and drug-driving offences were down for the Easter period, he said high levels registered by drink drivers were concerning.

These included three drivers involved in collisions, all detected at more than double their legal blood alcohol limit.

“It is concerning that we are still seeing people who are not just miscalculating some drinks, but are just completely ignoring any sort of concern for any other member of the community and that they drive well and truly intoxicated.” Acting Inspector Macklin said.

Meanwhile, NSW Police were also patrolling roads across the Southern region.

Over the course of the Easter long weekend, almost 30,000 breath tests were administered, with 48-related charges given.

There were 1029 speeding infringements were detected in the area, along with 47 restraint infringements and 17 people caught driving on their mobile phones.

In particular, a 38-year-old man was allegedly detected travelling at 199 km/h on the Hume Highway at Mittagong on Monday (18 April) morning.

The Oaks man had a provisional driver’s license which was immediately suspended and his registration plates were confiscated.

He is due to appear at Moss Vale local court on 31 May.

NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Glinn said that despite double demerits being in place across the Easter long weekend, many drivers failed to do the right thing.

“Drink driving and speeding were some of the most common offences detected on NSW roads this past weekend,” Acting AC Glinn said.

“The blatant disregard for road rules shown by many was astounding.

“Our message to road users is simple – police can be anywhere, anytime and we’ll be targeting high-risk behaviour, including drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.”

Double demerit points will be in effect again in the ACT and NSW for the Anzac Day weekend, from Friday, 22 April to Monday, 25 April inclusive.

Acting Inspector Macklin warned police will yet again be out in force.

“If we could avoid all the stupid speeds we saw this past weekend, that would be great,” he said.

“We’ve got pretty easy traffic laws to comply with; if people could just do the right thing, it would make our lives a lot easier.”

NSW Acting Assistant Commissioner Glinn echoed that message.

“With another long weekend approaching, police are again preparing to run another high-visibility traffic operation across the state,” he said.

“Double demerits will again be in place this weekend, so if you’re travelling long distances or simply to the local shops, prepare to see police out and about keeping you safe.”