POLICE are furious drivers are continuing to flout the law after three drink-drivers and a drug impaired driver were arrested on Sunday.
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Chifley Highway Patrol's commander, Sergeant Ryan Baird, said it was absurd that anyone can think it's okay to get behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs.
Sgt Baird said the weekend's arrests came just days after a 37-year-old woman was charged by police for high range drink-driving; at the time the woman, who was on her way to the Elton John concert, had three children under eight in the car with her. She allegedly recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.179 after being stopped by police.
Sgt Baird said he made no apologies for the fact his crews were on the road 24/7.
"Highway patrol officers are working around the clock, so there's no down time," he said.
The first arrest came at 4.22am, Sunday when police were called to a crash in Russell Street, where a car ended up on its side.
Sgt Baird said police will allege the driver, who was drunk, hit a parked car, before his vehicle flipped.
The driver left the scene but was located a short distance down the road by police, he allegedly recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.118, in the mid range.
At 7.56am, another driver was stopped on the O'Connell Road, near Oberon, returning a reading of 0.054.
Three hours later, another male was stopped on Bradwardine Road, returning a reading of 0.054, and was charged with Low Range PCA (second plus offence).
Just before 2pm, police stopped a Holden Commodore at Vittoria, after its registration plates came up expired. The driver underwent a roadside breath and oral fluid test, the latter returning a positive result.
Sgt Baird said checks on the vehicle indicated the plates did not belong to the car, which police also suspect was re-birthed.
Investigations are continuing, with local police now working alongside the State Crime Command.
Sgt Baird said all incidents were extremely disappointing, given the saturation of police over the long weekend, and the media attention Operation Safe Return had generated.
"It's just ridiculous, the operation was underway, everyone knows police will be out in force.
On a positive note, the number of speeding drivers was down.
"There were 30 speeding infringements (as of 10am Monday) which is low compared to other long weekends, it's a good indicator to that people are slowing down," he said.