AN unaccompanied learner driver allegedly caught speeding through West Bathurst while under the influence of alcohol was one of multiple incidents that marred an otherwise good long weekend for NSW Police.
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Officers were out in force over the October long weekend to ensure drivers were safe, targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, driving while fatigued, mobile phone, helmet and other traffic offences.
In the Western Region, there were 769 speeding infringements detected and 33 PCA charges.
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Police conducted 13,977 breath tests.
There were 26 major crashes reported, from which there was one fatality.
Four people died on NSW roads over the long weekend period.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb, said while the number of fatal crashes is less than this time last year, it's always sad to see lives lost on our roads.
"It's very sad that four people won't be returning home to their loved ones," she said.
"While most people were well behaved, it is still disappointing to see that some people chose to ignore road safety warnings and put their own lives and the lives of other road users at risk."
One of those putting people at risk was a 42-year-old man in Bathurst.
At about 7.30am on Sunday, officers from Chifley Highway Patrol stopped a Holden Astra on Vittoria Street, West Bathurst, after it was detected allegedly travelling 75km/h in a 60km/h zone.
Police spoke with the driver, and subsequent checks revealed that he was an unaccompanied learner.
He returned a positive roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to Bathurst Police Station, where he allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.086.
The man was charged with class A motor vehicle exceed speed, driving a motor vehicle while licence was suspended and driving with middle range PCA.
He is due to appear in Bathurst Local Court on November 30.