A 55-year-old unlicensed driver has been charged with high-range drink-driving after allegedly crashing into parked cars and assaulting police at Panania on Christmas Day.
“Shortly before 11pm yesterday, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command were called to Truscott Street and found a Lexus had hit two parked cars,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“The driver, a 55-year-old man was subjected to a roadside breath test returning a positive result and became aggressive, assaulting officers when they attempted to arrest him. The man was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.179.”
The man has been charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, drive with high range PCA, and unlicensed driver. He is due to appear in court at a later date.
The state-wide road-safety operation started at midnight on Christmas Eve and will end at 11.59pm on Sunday, January 3.
Double-demerit points are in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
NSW Police officers will also be targeting other high-risk driver behaviour, including the Four Ds; drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.
So far, nearly 1,350 speeding fines and more than 1,000 infringement notices have been issued for other driving offences.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb, said it was disappointing to see people were still taking risks on the road.
“It’s concerning to see people behaving irresponsibly and putting their own, and other people’s lives at risk, speeding or driving whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol” Assistant Commissioner Webb said.
“It’s also a timely reminder that people should have a Plan B if they are celebrating with alcohol and make sure to have a designated driver,”
“We also want to stress again and again that road users should prioritise arriving safely, and not quickly.”
