NSW Police Catch 7,000 Drivers In Weekend Drug-Driving Sting Operation

Over 7000 NSW drivers will face law enforcement action following a statewide traffic operation over the weekend conducted by NSW Police.

Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) commenced at 12am on Thursday 3 September and concluded at 4am on Sunday 6 September, targeting people driving while affected by alcohol, drugs, and fatigue across the state. 

During the operation, NSW police conducted 6420 drug tests, with 774 people returning positive samples. The high-visibility operation also saw the execution of 162,027 breath tests, with 212 drink driving offences detected.

While the operation focused on detecting drivers operating a vehicle while impaired, police also issued more than 7113 traffic infringement notices, including 2251 for speed-related offences, 344 for mobile phone use, and 106 restraint-related offences.

Operation RAID Is About Safety, Says NSW Police

“Operation RAID is about finding impaired drivers and getting them off the roads,” said Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Paul Scully. “There is simply no excuse for driving impaired. It is selfish, it is dangerous and the consequences can last a lifetime.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and NSW Police are doing their part every day to keep people safe.“

Assistant Commissioner David Driver, Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, spoke on operations findings after stopping thousands of vehicles. 

“Concerningly, we found 212 drivers to be driving well beyond the legal blood alcohol limit and 774 who tested positive to roadside drug tests. Those drivers could have gone on to cause tragedies in their communities.

“The message is simple: People need to understand their legal and moral obligation when they get behind the wheel and not put others at risk.”

Driver went on to warn individuals who choose to drive while impaired that while this particular operation may be over, law enforcement remain active and present on NSW roads.

“We’re not just apprehending drivers impacted by drugs, alcohol, or fatigue during this operation, our officers will continue to be out there every day and night working to prevent deaths and serious injury on NSW roads.”

The high-scale operation comes just weeks after a parliamentary bill proposing that NSW Police gain access to high-resolution toll cameras that can identify drivers and passengers.