Police have wrapped up a high-visibility traffic operation following the long weekend.
NSW Police had a high-visibility presence across the state for Operation King’s Birthday 2026, which was conducted from 12.01am Friday 5 June 2026 to 11.59pm Monday 8 June 2026.
The police operation involved officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of general duties and specialist police from all commands and districts across the state.
A double demerit period targeting speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet offences was also in place for the same time period.
Over the long weekend two people lost their lives, which occurred in the northern and southern regions, with 279 major crashes reported.
Across the state, police conducted more than 248,378 breath tests, with 303 drink driving offences and conducted 8,288 drug tests with 788 drug driving offences detected.
Police issued 11,806 traffic infringement notices, including 3,890 for speed related offences, 455 for mobile phone usage, and 211 restraint offences.
The Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the long weekend road safety operation had concluded but urged continued caution on the roads.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and over the long weekend we saw the majority of motorists make safe, sensible choices that kept themselves and others safe,” Minister Catley said.
“The strong police presence across the road network made a real difference. That visibility helped reinforce safe behaviour and played an important role in making sure people got home safely.
“While the operation has now concluded, the message remains the same – road safety should be front of mind for all drivers every day, and police will continue to enforce the laws to keep people safe.”
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said officers were out in force across the long weekend targeting dangerous driving behaviour.
“The vast majority of motorists did the right thing, but too many still took unnecessary risks on our roads,” Assistant Commissioner Driver.
“This operation was about visibility, deterrence and ensuring drivers understood the consequences of speeding, drink/drug driving and distraction.
“Every driver stopped for speeding and tested for drugs and alcohol contributes to safer roads.”
About 4.55am on Friday 5 June 2026, officers attached to Leichhardt Police Area Command attempted to stop a Volkswagen SUV on Bridge Road, Glebe. When it allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit the SUV was allegedly travelling at 104km/h in a signposted 40km/h zone. A short time later after the pursuit was terminated, the Volkswagen SUV collided with an oncoming vehicle near the Pyrmont Bridge Road off-ramp, Anzac Bridge. The driver then left the scene but was arrested a short time later on Miller Street, Ultimo. Police allege the Volkswagen SUV was stolen from a break and enter at a property in Concord earlier this month.
The driver – a 33-year-old man – was taken to St Vincents Hospital for treatment under police guard, after he appeared to be suffering from a medical episode. He was later discharged and taken to Glebe Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, drive conveyance without consent of owner, and not give particulars to other driver. He was also charged with an outstanding warrant for a shoplifting related offence. He was refused bail and will face Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 16 May 2026.
About 1.45am on Saturday 6 June 2026, officers attached The Hume Police District were called to the Hume Highway, Jugiong, following reports a Holden commodore was stopped on the highway and a woman was behaving erratically on the road. Police arrived and arrested a 37-year-old woman at the scene, after the vehicle was allegedly stolen. She was also subjected to a roadside breath test which allegedly returned a positive result. The 37-year-old was taken to Yass Police Station where she was subjected to further testing, allegedly returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.066. She also allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine.
Police allege the Holden commodore, driven by the woman, was stolen from a property on Clifford Road, Narrandera about 5pm the previous day (Friday 5 June 2026). The 37-year-old was charged with refuse or fail to provide oral fluid sample, drive with low range PCA, taken and drive conveyance without consent of owner and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. She was also charged with an outstanding warrant for a traffic-related offence. The woman was refused bail to appear before Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 10 June 2026.
REGIONAL STATISTICS
Northern Region
Speed infringements: 1,013
Other infringements: 1,787
Breath tests: 40,462
PCA charges: 92
Drug tests: 2,004
Positive drug tests: 215
Restraint offences: 28
Mobile phone offences: 52
Southern Region
Speed infringements: 1,206
Other infringements: 1,228
Breath tests: 37,611
PCA charges: 38
Drug tests: 1,634
Positive drug tests: 192
Restraint offences: 28
Mobile phone offences: 43
Western Region
Speed infringements: 487
Other infringements: 553
Breath tests: 18,633
PCA charges: 30
Drug tests: 726
Positive drug tests: 111
Restraint offences: 14
Mobile phone offences: 12
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.