Operation Snow Safe: NSW police issue more than 1500 traffic infringements to snow bunnies

The NSW Police Force has issued more than 1500 traffic infringements in the Snowy Mountains region as part of Operation Snow Safe, which has only just reached its halfway point.

As part of the snow season traffic operation, which runs from Friday, June 6 to Monday, October 6, officers from the NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Monaro Police District are targeting dangerous driving in the alpine region.

In the first two months of Operation Snow Safe, police say they have seen a concerning number of dangerous driving incidents, including excessive speed and reckless driving.

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As of Sunday, August 10, police have had issued 1575 infringement notices, including 1110 for speeding offences.

Police also issued 47 drivers with infringements for failure to use road vehicle safety equipment – mainly carrying snow chains – which incurs a fine of $300.

During the same period, 11 people were charged with drink driving, including eight issued infringement notices for low-range PCA, and 35 people allegedly returned a positive drug test, with those samples sent away for secondary testing.

Some examples of dangerous driver behaviour detected during the operation include:

• About 3:40pm on Saturday, June 28, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling Alpine Way, Crackenback, when they detected a driver allegedly travelling 141km/h in an 80km/h signposted zone, while overtaking another vehicle. Police pulled over a 55-year-old driver and issued him with a class a motor vehicle excess speed limit over 45km/h. His license was also suspended.
• About 9:35am on Thursday, June 16, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped a car on the Kosciuszko Road, Smiggins Holes, near the chain bay, allegedly driving at 93km/h in a 80km/h signposted area. When officers spoke to the 36-year-old man with an international license, they allegedly found four unrestrained passengers, including a 36-year-old female with a six-month-old baby on her lap. The driver was issued with a traffic infringement notice for class a motor vehicle excess speed limit – 10km/h and under, drive with four/more passengers seatbelt/restraint not properly adjusted/fastened.
• About 6:20pm on Friday, July 25, police were called to Gippsland Street, Jindabyne following reports of a car and bus collision. The bus sustained minor damage, however, the car was significantly damaged. Police subjected the 29-year-old male driver to a roadside breath test where he allegedly returned a positive result. He was taken to Jindabyne Police Station where he allegedly returned a positive blood alcohol reading of 0.237. He allegedly also returned a positive drug test for cannabis and cocaine. The man was issued with a 24-hour prohibition notice from driving and was charged with drive with high range PCA and drive with high range PCA and illicit drug. He was issued with a court attendance notice and will next appear in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday, November 5.
• About 9:30pm on Saturday, July 19, police were patrolling Kosciusko Road, Jindabyne, when they pulled over a ute. The 34-year-old learner driver was subjected to a roadside breath test allegedly returning a positive result. He was taken to Jindabyne Police Station and allegedly returned a positive blood reading of 0.049. The man was issued with traffic infringement notices for drive/tow vehicle with unsecured load, learner driver not display L-plates as prescribed, not keep left of median strip-motor vehicle. The man was issued a 24-hour prohibition notice from driving and received a court attendance notice for drive with special range PCA to appear at Cooma Local Court on Wednesday August 20.
• About 10:15pm on the same day, police were patrolling Kosciusko Road, Jindabyne, near Kalkite street, when they allegedly detected the same vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. They pulled over the vehicle, with a 34-year-old male driver behind the wheel, who was previously the passenger. He allegedly returned a positive blood alcohol reading. He was taken to Jindabyne Police Station allegedly returning a reading of 0.131. The man was issued with a court attendance notice for drive with mid-range PCA to appear in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday, August 20. He was also issued with a 24-hour prohibition notice from driving.

“We know driving to and from the alpine regions presents a number of challenges, including black ice, changing weather conditions, increased traffic and drivers who are often travelling long distances,” said NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Acting Superintendent Lee Ingmire.

“It’s very concerning to see drivers excessively speeding, mixing drugs and alcohol while driving and failing to appropriately restrain their passengers including young children.

“We are also continuing to see drivers fail to carry to the most basic safety equipment such as snow chains, which is mandatory for all 2WD [vehicles] heading to the snow.

“We encourage people to hire snow chains, learn how to fit them appropriately and use the designated chain bays on the way to the snow. Don’t leave it until you’re on the highway and snow is falling to take those safety precautions.”

“We are also reminding motorists to check the weather conditions before leaving and if the carpark at the snowfields is at capacity.”

Police said that on weekend days in July alone, 2600 cars were turned around on Kosciuszko Rd and 2400 cars were turned around on Alpine Way, with assistance from Transport for NSW.

“This only leads to further frustration for drivers and can lead to crashes and delays for motorists. We encourage people to check the Transport for NSW website or consider public transport,” said acting superintendent Ingmire.