NSW Police are concerned about an increase in drink-driving offences in the Hume district. Photo: File.
A driver allegedly almost three-and-a-half times over the legal alcohol limit was one of the worst offenders nabbed during a recent blitz on roads in the Hume district.
Police say they are warning drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel after they detected an increase in drink-driving in the region.
They say they have noticed an increase in dangerous driver behaviour following Operation Chrome, which ran between Friday, 30 April, 2021 and Sunday, 3 May, 2021, and led to 30 motorists being charged with drink-driving offences.
Since then, officers attached to the Hume Traffic and Highway Patrol Command have maintained a highly visible presence on local roads and have detected more than a dozen motorists driving under the influence of alcohol.
The drivers were stopped in locations including the Old Hume Highway, Mittagong; Argyle Street, Moss Vale; Hume Street, Goulburn; and Barton Highway, Murrumbateman.
Around half were low-range drink-driving offences but, more concerningly, two drivers have been charged with high-range prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA).
One man was stopped on Hay Street, Crookwell, on Friday, 14 May, 2021, and, when subjected to a breath analysis, allegedly returned a reading of 0.161.
On Saturday, 15 May, another motorist was stopped on Allanan Street, Young, and allegedly returned a reading of 0.171 – almost three-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit.
Hume Police District Commander Superintendent Paul Condon said the number of motorists under the influence of alcohol is not only disappointing, but puts other road users in danger.
“It’s alarming that so many motorists have been detected with alcohol in their system in such a short period of time,” he said.
“It was only due to police actions that a tragedy has been avoided.
“These detections are a clear indication that it’s just a matter of time before those doing the wrong thing get caught and are dealt with under the law.”
Hume Police District Acting Inspector Gregory Macnamara said drivers need a plan B if they are consuming alcohol.
“Make alternative arrangements after a night out, and never let a mate drink and drive,” he said.
“Losing your licence can have major implications on your employment, but being under the influence behind the wheel can very easily result in a loss of life.”
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