5 June 2020

Woman charged with high-range PCA after child alerts police to danger

| Michael Weaver
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Police car

NSW Police have launched Operation Stay Alert targeting reckless road users during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Photo: File.

A woman from Berridale in the Snowy Mountains has had her licence suspended for allegedly drink driving. Police were alerted to the danger after a 13-year-old passenger in the car flagged down a police officer.

The woman was driving on Kosciuszko Road at Coolringdon, about 12 km west of Cooma, where officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducting stationary speed-enforcement duties. They were flagged down by a 13-year-old female passenger in the Hyundai Tucson SUV just after 5:00 pm on Thursday (4 June).

Police will allege in court that the girl told officers that the driver, a 38-year-old woman, had been driving dangerously and was under the influence of alcohol.

The driver underwent a roadside breath test which allegedly returned a positive result. The woman was arrested and taken to Cooma Police Station where she underwent a breath analysis test that returned an alleged reading of 0.210. She was charged with driving with a high-range prescribed concentration of alcohol. The woman’s licence was suspended and confiscated.

She is due to appear before Cooma Local Court on 5 August.

A child-at-risk notification has also been made.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said the incident was a concern ahead of NSW Police launching Operation Stay Alert – the state’s road safety enforcement operation – targeting reckless road users during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

“With this incident, the quick-thinking actions of this young girl in notifying police potentially saved both of their lives,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

From midnight on Friday (5 June) to midnight on Monday (8 June), officers will be targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, driving while fatigued, mobile phone, helmet and other traffic offences.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy reminded the community that Operation Stay Alert had commenced and double demerits were in effect.

“Our officers are out in force for Operation Stay Alert to detect people who are driving dangerously and drivers that are selfish enough to put other road users at risk with their reckless choices,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

“If you get behind the wheel while under the influence, you will be caught, and you will have to face the consequences of your actions.

“Drivers can expect to see plenty of officers out on our streets, enforcing the road rules and ensuring that all road users reach their destination safely. And now with stationary RBT and RDT operational again alongside our mobile testing, there won’t be anywhere you can hide if you’ve consumed alcohol or prohibited drugs.”

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