POLICE will be increasingly cracking down on driving offences in the Manning-Great Lakes, using mobile drug testing (MDT), after finding 20 positive drug readings out of 130 in one weekend.
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Mobile Drug Testing (MDT) operates alongside RBT for alcohol. By 2017, there will be three times the number of tests on NSW roads.
Manning-Great Lakes Commander Peter Thurtell said, over the weekend personnel from the Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie traffic highway command joined Manning-Great Lakes Local Area Command officers for Operation Lancaster.
Starting on Friday, October 14 at 3pm and running until Sunday, October 16 at 8pm, the operation was made up of 22 police and 11 police cars.
The intention of the operation was to not only target driving offences, but to heighten the public’s awareness on road safety including the risks of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Police conducted 719 random breath tests.
They made five charges for low-range drink driving, three charges for mid-range drink driving and one driver refused breath test analysis.
Police conducted 130 drug tests, and had in access of 20 positive results.
Commander Peter Thurtell said: “Legal action will result against these drivers.”
On top of the drug and alcohol testing, police issued 69 infringement notices, including 10 unregistered vehicles, one mobile phone user, 22 speeding offences, 15 defect notices and 37 other, miscellaneous offences.
“More of these operations will be conducted where we draw in resources from other areas,” Commander Thurtell said.
“Drivers should always be aware, they can be tested, anywhere, anytime.”
Transport for NSW’s Centre for Road Safety website details, drivers caught with drugs in their system will face court, could lose their licence, be fined and end up with a criminal record. Drivers proven to be driving with the influence of illegal/prescription drugs face fines of up to $2200 and 12 month licence disqualification.