Aussie L-plater's surprise response after copping $1,689 fine and losing licence
As police ramp up their road safety efforts these school holidays in New South Wales, officers say numerous examples have emerged of drivers flouting the law. At about 7.20am on Monday, Highway Patrol were conducting inspections at Tharbogang, in the state's Riverina region, when they stopped a silver Nissan sedan being driven by a 25-year-old man.
The man was asked to produce his licence and was subjected to drug and alcohol testing. Officers quickly determined that he was unsupervised, and then he allegedly returned positive results for both meth and marijuana. When confronted with the penalty, he simply asked in return: "Can I still get my Ps?"
The man's learner's licence was immediately suspended for three months, with several infringement notices handed down, totalling a combined $1,689. "Formal action will be taken against the driver in relation to the illicit drugs present in his system when the oral fluid sample obtained is analysed," NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said on Tuesday.
It comes as police repeat their plea to motorists out on the roads these school holidays, a period known for higher-than-average incidents of road trauma. According to NSW Police, 20 per cent of fatal or serious crashes occur during school holiday periods.
The NSW winter public school holidays began on Monday, July 7 and conclude on Friday, July 18. In the July holidays last year, eight people lost their lives in fatal crashes — the same number of deaths were recorded for the same period in 2023.
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So far this year, 190 lives have been lost, up a staggering 29 more deaths from last year.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, said the July school holidays are a time when "weather conditions could contribute" to serious accidents. "Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year," he said.
"Our data shows one in five serious or fatal crashes happen in the school holidays. We also know that about two-thirds of fatal crashes occur on regional areas. Take extra care, reduce your speed, and remain focused so you and your family can arrive at your destination safely.
"As always, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol."
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