Operation Labour Day: NSW Police frustrated with driver recklessness over long weekend

NSW Police revealed eight people died and close to 70 others were injured on the state’s roads this Labour Day long weekend. See how the Mid-North Coast fits into these shocking figures.

Busy Mid-North Coast roads have seen far too many car accidents recently, including a highway fatality and a Post Office collision last week — and NSW Police are fed up.

Authorities say they’re “frustrated some drivers are not getting the message”, after eight people died — two of which occurred on northern NSW roads — and almost 70 others were injured across the state over the long weekend.

Police are “frustrated” with reckless road users. Picture: Monique Harmer

Operation Labour Day launched at 12.01am on Friday, September 30, and wrapped up at 11.59pm on Monday October 3, with double demerits in place over the three day period.

Police were targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phone use, and other traffic offences - and they found plenty of wrongdoers.

One reckless driver was caught in Port Macquarie around 7.30pm on Sunday, after police claim to have spotted a Holden Commodore travelling more than twice the speed limit.

Heading south on Granite St, police allege the 41-year-old male driver was going 101km/hr in a 50km/hr zone.

Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were assisted by general duties police from commands across NSW. Picture: Monique Harmer

The driver was breath tested, allegedly blowing 0.178, before he was arrested and taken to Port Macquarie Station.

He was charged for drink driving and speeding and is due to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court in November.

The local man is one of 76 drink drivers who were caught by police in northern NSW, and 269 in the state, over the long weekend.

During Operation Labour Day, police issued a total of 3310 traffic infringement notices for speeding and 251 people were charged for mobile phone use.

Police are warning this dangerous behaviour, paired with unpleasant weather and busy school holiday traffic, could lead to more accidents.