A police traffic operation in the Illawarra resulted in charges against 11 people. Photo: File.
Allegedly suspended and speeding drivers were among 11 people charged during a police blitz in the Illawarra.
During Operation Fume, which ran from 4 pm on Saturday (30 May) to 2:30 am on Sunday (31 May), police charged nine people including three drivers with driving while suspended, two drivers whose licences had been disqualified and one whose licence had been cancelled.
The operation targeted drug and alcohol-driving offences, speeding, vehicle standards, unauthorised driving and general road compliance.
Officers were patrolling Stewart Street in Wollongong about 6:20 pm on Saturday when they stopped a hatchback driver for roadside testing.
Checks revealed the 44-year-old female driver’s licence was suspended. After allegedly returning a positive drug test she was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where she allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
The driver was issued with a 24-hour prohibition notice for driving.
Later that evening, police on patrol in the Cringila area pulled over a car on Lake Avenue.
At the time the car was allegedly displaying a P1 plate, however the 20-year-old male driver allegedly produced a learner’s licence.
He was issued with a traffic infringement notice for learner driver not displaying L plates as prescribed and learner not accompanied by licensed driver/police officer or tester. The offences carry fines of $330 and $1079 respectively.
About 12:30 am on Sunday, officers in the Royal National Park detected a car allegedly travelling on Lady Wakehurst Drive at 126 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.
The 21-year-old P2 driver was pulled over and issued a $3054 fine and a loss of six demerit points. The driver was also handed an on the spot six-month driving prohibition notice.
Wollongong Highway Patrol pulled over the driver of a utility on Bulwarra Street, Keiraville, about 1 am on Sunday for roadside testing.
The 46-year-old driver allegedly returned a positive drug test. He was subjected to a secondary test, which allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine.
The driver was issued with a 24-hour prohibition notice for driving. Checks also revealed the driver’s licence had allegedly expired.
He was issued with a court attendance notice for drive whilst licence suspended, to appear in Wollongong Local Court in July.
The operation involved Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers, with assistance from Wollongong Police District and Lake Illawarra Police District, conducting mobile and stationary drug and alcohol testing at the locations of fatal or serious crashes.
Police conducted 777 roadside breath tests during which they detected three PCA offences and 102 roadside drug tests during which they detected 17 positive results. As well, officers issued 66 traffic infringements and three defect notices.
Operation Fume is continuing.
A great article, Jeremy. A key step in Wollongong’s growth as a viable alternative to living in… View