Speeding motorists spoil otherwise good behaviour on Bathurst roads

NSW Police's Operation Christmas/New Year, a high visibility policing operation focused on safe driving over the holidays, got under way at 12.01am on December 24.

READ MORE: Plea to motorists to take care as they travel for the holidays

Sergeant Ryan Baird from Bathurst Highway Patrol said that police are specifically targeting major casual factors contributing to road trauma, including excessive or inappropriate speed, alcohol and drug driving, fatigue, non-wearing of occupant restraints and helmets, and distractions.

"This operation is aimed at heightening public awareness to the associated factors related to road related trauma during the Christmas and New Year holiday period," he said.

While the majority have been on their best behaviour, there has been a handful of motorists caught flouting the rules on local roads, particularly when it comes to speeding.

During the operation, two drivers have been clocked at well over the speed limit on Mount Panorama.

Despite it being a public road, with a limit of 60km/h, some motorists have attempted to reach racecar-like speeds.

"We are currently five days in to this 11-day policing operation and so far the majority of people are doing the right thing. However there has been a handful of people making bad driving decisions in the past few days," Sgt Baird said.

"One example was a 54-year-old man who was detected at 125km/h on Conrod Straight, Mount Panorama on Christmas Eve.

"His poor driving decision that day cost him $2547 in speeding fines and a loss of licence for six months."

Officers attached to Bathurst Highway Patrol also stopped a P2 provisional licence holder at about 5.55pm on Boxing Day after he was clocked at 156km/h in a 60km/h zone.

The teenage driver also lost his licence for six months and was issued infringements for exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h ($2547) and failing to display P plates ($275).

Operation Christmas/New Year will continue through to midnight on Monday, January 3.

READ ALSO: Driven to distraction: Motorists must buckle up and get off the phone

Sgt Baird said people can expect to see a heavy police presence on roads around the region.

"The community can expect to see the officers from Bathurst Highway Patrol out in force in the coming days, especially on New Years Eve and New Years Day," he said.

"There will be officers breath and drug testing motorists around the clock.

"My message to the community this holiday period is to plan your night out and to have a 'Plan B'.

"It has been a tough year for a lot of people, so please don't make it any harder by making a poor driving decisions."

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