Operation Stay Alert targets driving offenders
Police are furious at the risks being taken by some female drivers detected during the opening day of Operation Stay Alert today.
The campaign began yesterday morning and will run until Monday night targeting speeding drivers, drink drivers and people not wearing their seatbelts. Double demerit points also apply for all speeding and seatbelt offences during this time. There is a heavy police presence patrolling Northern Rivers roads.
Traffic Services Commander Chief Superintendent John Hartley said he was angry at the total disregard shown for the lives of innocent people by those who choose to travel at dangerous speeds or drink and drive
“In the State’s north a woman was detected with a blood alcohol reading more than four times the legal limit with several young children in the car,” Chief Superintendent Hartley said.
“Regardless of the driver’s gender, anyone who can place children at risk in such a way astounds me.”
The woman was charged at Kempsey, where police, acting on information from the public, stopped a 1974 Volvo sedan as it was being driven about 4.05pm yesterday.
“At the time the car was stopped, it will be alleged several young children were in the rear of the car. The driver, a 41-year-old Kempsey woman, underwent a random breath test which proved positive. A breath analysis returned a reading of 0.200,” police said.
