'Sheer idiocy': NSW Police hit out after P-plater nabbed at 226km/h
NSW Police have slammed idiot drivers, including a P-plate hoon allegedly caught more than 150km/h over the speed limit, and fear the speed kills message is not getting through.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy released a statement on Monday after four people died on NSW roads during Operation Safe Return, a five-day Australia Day blitz.
Of the more than 5700 speed infringements issued in just five days, a P-plater was allegedly nabbed at 226km/h in a 70 zone in the early hours of Monday morning.
Mr Corboy said the silver Audi A5 was stopped on Fairford Road in Bankstown at 2.20am. The P-plate driver was arrested and charged, with his licence cancelled on the spot.
"I can't believe the sheer idiocy I have seen on our roads during this operation," Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said in a statement.
"It's quite simple, people are dying because they are speeding.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy. Source: AAP
"Speed is still the biggest killer on our roads contributing to about 40 per cent of fatal crashes."
Along with the P-plater clocked at more than 150km/h over the speed limit, a 30-year-old man was allegedly caught speeding at 196km/h in a 100 zone on the M5 in Moorebank.
A 24-year-old man was also allegedly caught speeding at 188km/h in a 100 zone near Port Macquarie and a 24-year-old woman was allegedly nabbed at 144km/h in a 60 zone in Rozelle.
"I've never seen anything that high, particularly in a built up area," Mr Corboy said, of the P-plate driver.
"I've worked in the country and the city and it's sheer lunacy."
Police say 8353 infringements were handed out for other traffic offences, with 320 people charged with drink-driving.
On top of the four deaths, 140 people were injured in the almost 400 crashes reported over the five days.
