Police have reminded motorists that road rules still apply and are being enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said the reminder followed a recent increase in detections of dangerous driving and serious speeding offences across NSW.
“So far this year, there has been significantly less traffic on NSW roads which can largely be attributed to the flow-on effects of the extended bushfire season and now COVID-19,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“As a result, there have been fewer fatal crashes and drink-driving detections compared with the same period last year,” he said
“But there has been a notable increase in the number of speeding infringements issued.”
Assistant Commissioner Corboy said drink-driving detections had halved from about 2,200 2018 and 2019 but the proportion of those detected in the high range was up to 21 per cent from an average of 15 per cent in earlier years.
“The statistics highlight that some motorists have little regard for their own safety and lives of others,” he said.
“Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the most selfish acts someone can undertake.”
Assistant Commissioner Corboy warned that while there were few vehicles on the road, there was still the same number of police so traffic offences were easier to detect.
