Police have arrested a man who allegedly led officers on a pursuit along Bulli Pass as part of a statewide operation targeting drug driving.
Operation RAID Targets Impaired Drivers
Operation Remove All Impaired Drivers (RAID) commenced on Thursday, May 7, focusing on roadside testing to identify drivers affected by alcohol and drugs. Over four days, police conducted 8,460 drug tests, with 708 people returning positive results, and more than 160,000 breath tests resulting in 211 drink driving offences. Additionally, over 5,000 traffic infringement notices were issued, including nearly 2,000 for speeding.
Bulli Pass Incident Details
At 6am on Friday, May 8, Wollongong Highway Patrol officers detected a male driver allegedly speeding on Bulli Pass. When police attempted to stop the driver, he failed to comply, initiating a pursuit. The driver, a 38-year-old man, then travelled along Appin Road before hitting a tree. He was arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station, where checks revealed his licence was allegedly suspended. An oral fluid test allegedly returned a positive result. The man was later taken to hospital for a hand injury and provided a blood sample.
The 38-year-old was charged with multiple offences, including starting a police pursuit, resisting a police officer, and driving a motor vehicle while his licence was suspended. He was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday, June 9.
Official Statements on Road Safety
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley stated, "Driving impaired with drugs or alcohol in your system is a dangerous choice that can kill someone. Police cannot sit in the driver's seat with you. Every driver has a responsibility to make sure they are fit to get behind the wheel. Operation RAID may have concluded, but enforcement does not stop. If you are putting lives at risk on NSW roads, police will get you."
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver added, "The conclusion of Operation RAID does not mean our efforts stop here. Stopping drivers who have consumed drugs and alcohol will continue to be a priority for NSW Police, and drivers should expect ongoing enforcement every day of the year. Drivers who are affected by drugs, alcohol or fatigue have slower reactions and their judgement is clouded. When that impairment is combined with other factors such as speeding or distraction, there can be deadly consequences."
