NSW sees spike in road deaths as operation RAID nabs hundreds of drug and drink driving offences in statewide blitz

NSW Police have launched a major crackdown on impaired driving after a spike in road deaths, with 131 lives lost so far in 2025, 19 more than this time last year.

A concerning increase in road deaths across the state, with 131 lives lost so far in 2025 — 19 more than this time last year — prompted NSW Police to launch a major three-day crackdown targeting drug and drink driving.

Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) saw a heightened police presence on roads across NSW from May 8 to 10.

In that time, Traffic and Highway Patrol officers conducted more than 109,000 random breath tests and almost 7000 drug tests.

The operation came after a deadly April in which 39 people died in 36 crashes. Four of those accidents were believed to be alcohol-related and seven drug-related, slightly up from 37 road deaths in April 2024.

Assistant Commissioner David Driver said the operation was part of an ongoing strategy to enforce road safety and curb the rising death toll.

Patrol officers conducted more than 109,000 random breath tests and almost 7000 drug tests. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We have seen 19 more people lose their lives on our roads this year compared to 2024, that is unacceptable and that is 131 lives too many,” Assistant Commissioner Driver said.

Despite the majority of drivers complying with the law, police detected 132 drink driving offences and 461 positive drug test results. Officers also issued 1373 speeding infringements, 286 fines for mobile phone use, and 84 seatbelt or helmet offences.

Operation RAID was launched over a three day blitz.

During the operation, several serious incidents occurred which included A truck driver in Gregory Hills that allegedly failed to stop for a random breath test and returned a high-range reading of 0.206.

A driver in Ingleside allegedly crashed into a rock wall and tested positive for both alcohol and drugs, including cannabis and cocaine.

A 22-year-old P-plate driver in Deepwater allegedly tested positive for alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine.

A disqualified driver in Shell Cove allegedly led police on a high-speed pursuit reaching 165km/h before being arrested and testing positive to drugs.

In Broadmeadow, a disqualified driver allegedly in possession of drugs, cash, and a knife was refused bail after returning a positive test to cannabis and methamphetamine.

A 20-year-old driver in Kurri Kurri allegedly led police on a pursuit before crashing into a gutter and was found with 320 MDMA capsules, cash, weapons, and returned a positive alcohol test.

Originally published as NSW sees spike in road deaths as operation RAID nabs hundreds of drug and drink driving offences in statewide blitz