DOUBLE demerit points were no deterrent for many hundreds of motorists who were caught speeding in Orange and across the Central West during the Easter long weekend police blitz.
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Fines were issued to 717 motorists for speeding in the Western region, with some drivers losing their licence during Operation Tortoise.
The blitz commenced on Thursday and ran across the long weekend before winding up at midnight on Monday, with double demerit points in effect for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.
Western Region Traffic Tactician Inspector Ben Macfarlane said random breath tests and drink driving motorists were a big focus for officers.
There's only a few degrees of separation between a minor prang and a fatality.
- Western Region Traffic Tactician Inspector Ben Macfarlane
During the operation, police conducted 26,131 breath tests, with 23 motorists were caught over the limit.
Officers issued 747 infringements notices for a range of issues, including 62 for seatbelt and helmet offences.
There were two fatalities on regional roads during the operation, occurring in crashes on the outskirts of Tamworth and Inverell on Thursday night and Saturday morning respectively.
With two of the state's three fatalities during the operation occurring on Western NSW roads, Inspector Macfarlane urged motorists to take care.
"There's only a few degrees of separation between a minor prang and a fatality," he said.
There were 38 crashes in the region during the five days, which left 27 people injured.
During the blitz on Saturday a 23-year-old male driver was caught with substances believed to be methylamphetamine and resealable bags during a police search following an RBT in Cootamundra.
While on Thursday, a 30-year-old Lithgow man was charged with two counts of having goods in custody suspected of being stolen, possess a prohibited drug, and being an unlicensed driver following an RBT.
Inspector Macfarlane said despite the high number of speeding motorists, overall police were happy with driver behaviour.
He said officers had a proactive approach to the number of RBTs that were conducted and the statistics reflected that.
"Highway patrol officers were out there doing what they were supposed to be doing," he said.
Over the Anzac Day period police will again be out in force, with double demerit points in place from 12.01am on Wednesday to 11.59pm on Sunday.
During this time double demerit points will apply for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle-helmet offences.
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