A case of a woman allegedly caught driving and holding an unrestrained child, while the driver was more than three times the blood-alcohol limit, was among the incidents that had police shaking their heads during a blitz on behaviour on Hunter roads in recent days.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Police said on Monday they were disappointed at the number of people caught behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or illicit drugs during Operation Chrome, a crack-down that took place across the state at the weekend.
A 31-year-old woman was stopped by police after allegedly driving erratically along Blue Gum Road at Jesmond about 11pm on Saturday.
When officers stopped the Holden Captiva, the woman allegedly immediately got out of the driver's seat with an infant in her arms.
A roadside breath-test returned a positive result and a later analysis recorded a reading of 0.164.
The woman was charged with high-range drink-driving, her licence was suspended and she will face court on December 19.
In the NSW Police norther region, which includes the Hunter, there was one fatality - a pedestrian who died in Maitland on Saturday - and one major crash.
Police pressed 114 total charges - including 55 for drink-driving.
"People continue to not listen to our warnings and get behind the wheel when affected by alcohol and drugs," norther region commander Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell said.
"We will not hesitate to stop a vehicle if we think the driver's behaviour puts everyone in the vehicle at risk, as well as others nearby.
"Police will target those roads that lead to the major arterial routes across the state - the focus on rural roads will not end because Operation Chrome has. We are making statewide preparations to be on the road in numbers heading into the festive season."
While you're with us, did you know Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here.
IN NEWS TODAY:
