Easter operation nets alleged speeding, drink and drug drivers

Operation Easter 2024 has officially concluded, with police charging an array of alleged speeding, drink and drug drivers across the NSW north coast.

Operation Easter 2024 concludes with eight fatalities across the state. Inset Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden.

Eight people lost their lives over the long weekend with alleged speeding, drink and drug driving detected among motorists in the state’s north.

Police said a “minority” of road users put themselves and others at risk through “irresponsible and selfish driving behaviours” during the operation that ran from midnight on March 28 to April 1.

Police performed 232,092 breath tests and charged 295 people with drink-driving over the Easter long weekend. Picture: Troy Snook

On March 28, Richmond Traffic and Highway Patrol spotted an allegedly stolen Mazda MX5 travelling westbound on the Bruxner Hwy at Irvington near Casino.

A pursuit began after the driver allegedly failed to stop for police, but the chase was terminated near Casino due to safety concerns.

Officers patrolling the area located the Mazda stopped on Camille Ct in Spring Grove and arrested the driver, a 26-year-old woman from East Ballina.

Georgia May Freeman was charged with police pursuit, driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent, not stopping when directed, driving disqualified, using an obscured or defaced number plate, drug driving, and possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs.

Freeman appeared before Lismore Local Court on March 29, where she was granted conditional bail to reappear before Casino Local Court on May 9.

Police located the stolen Mazda stopped on Camille Court, Spring Grove near Casino. Picture: Google

During Operation Easter 2024 police targeted excessive speed, drink and drug driving, fatigue, non-wearing of seatbelts and helmets, and mobile phone use.

Police saw a concerning number of alleged dangerous driving incidents, including excessive speed, high-range drink-driving, and reckless driving.

Around 4.20pm on March 30, Richmond Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting speed enforcement on Summerland Way at Leeville, 13km south of Casino.

Police allegedly detected a Honda Civic travelling at 155km/h in a 100km/h zone, and a 28-year-old Byron Bay man on his P1 licence was issued a penalty notice for speeding at more than 45km/h above the limit.

His provisional licence was suspended for six months on the spot, and the number plates were also confiscated.

Police issued 1419 speed infringements over the Easter weekend during Operation Easter 2024.

Also on March 30 at about 8.30am, Inverell Traffic and Highway Patrol allegedly detected a Ford Falcon travelling west on the Gwydir Hwy doing 90 km/h in a signposted 50 km/h zone.

The 30-year-old male driver allegedly returned a positive result to a roadside breath test before a secondary analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.144.

The man was issued an infringement for speeding at more than 30km/h over the limit and his licence was suspended.

He was further charged with mid-range drink driving and will face Inverell Local Court on May 9.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden. Picture: David Swift

Statewide, police issued 5709 speed infringements, conducted 232,092 breath tests with 295 people charged with drink-driving, and conducted 17,256 roadside drug tests with 863 positive roadside drug detections.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Brett McFadden said the shocking behaviour of a minority of road users continues to put the majority of people at risk.

“Prior to the start of the operation, I pleaded with all road users to make this long weekend a safe and enjoyable one,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.

“Unfortunately, due to the actions of a few, we’ve had more fatalities and serious injuries in a number of serious crashes that could have been prevented if the warning was heeded.”

He said the behaviour is unacceptable for police and the community.

“It is time we as a collective worked together to end this carnage on our roads.”

88 people were charged with drink and drug driving offences on the North Coast during Operation Easter 2024.

During Operation Easter 2024 Richmond Police District issued 1419 speeding tickets, performed 36,867 breath tests, and 2291 drug-driving tests.

88 people were charged with drink and drug driving offences.

There were 61 major crashes and one fatality at Boxyards Road, Booligal, about 75km north of Hay, where a 54-year-old man driving an ATV swerved to avoid colliding with a kangaroo and flipped.