Operation Safe Return was in full swing from 12.01am Friday, January 25 and ran until 11.59pm Monday, January 28.

Double demerit points were also in place for the whole operation.

Sergeant Peter Foran, Commander of Chifley Highway Patrol said during the three day operation over 2,000 breath tests were undertaken, with one driver, a 48-year-old Oberon man, allegedly recording a reading of 0.183.

The man was stopped by police after allegedly being caught doing 147km an hour in Stewart Street, which has a 60km an hour speed limit in place.

In the same period eighty-five speeding tickets were issued by police and a further 68 infringement notices written.

There were also four people issued with seat belt infringement notices.

Sgt Foran said it was disappointing to see so many speeding tickets issued, given the publicity surrounding the state wide operation.

“People clearly have not been listening to the message,” he said.

“It is frustrating. I’m not sure if it’s complacency or it’s a reflection  on the lack of attention they actually give to driving their vehicle.”

He said while everyone has time constraints in their lives, it’s not acceptable to break the rules and speed.

“If you need to leave half an hour extra on your journey so you have additional time,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command agreed, saying speeding put lives at risk.