A 33-year-old taxi driver was one of eight people caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a special operation by Orange’s Traffic and Highway Patrol command, random testing was conducted on Friday and Saturday and the results were shocking - almost one-tenth of the drivers failed.
As well as the taxi driver, four other men and three women were caught behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Police tested 81 drivers.
“This operation has highlighted that if you take drugs or drink and get behind the wheel in Orange you will be caught,” said Inspector Dave Harvey.
He said the strike-rate of one in 10 drivers being caught breaking the law was a wake-up call for other drivers.
The taxi driver was driving along Margaret Street when he was stopped by police and given a roadside drug test.
Assistant Police Commissioner and Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command John Hartley said he was disappointed in the behaviour of Orange motorists.
He hopes the results from the weekend operation serve as a warning to other drivers, particularly in the lead-up to the Easter weekend.
“Our Easter road safety campaign will be underway this week and motorists can expect to see more officers on our roads targeting these offences,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.
All the drivers caught in the special operation, named operation 721, were issued with field court attendance notices and must now face the magistrate in Orange Local Court.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au