Media release

V8 Supercars Weekend Traffic Wrap Up

Police

Police from Darwin Traffic Operations were pleased that most motorists avoided the dangers associated with drink driving across the V8 Supercars weekend, but continue to hold concerns that a minority continue to disregard the law and the safety of other road users.

Police conducted roadside breath testing stations around the Hidden Valley track complex and on major roads in the area over the weekend, as well as operations targeting unsafe driver behaviour on major roads and suburban streets across the Greater Darwin area. 

•          1202 breath tests – 2 x positives, one low and one medium-range

•          20 drug tests

•          119 infringement notices issued, the majority of them for speeding offences.

Concerning incidents included:

•          A 52-year-old-man was observed wheel-standing a motorcycle on Tiger Brennan Drive.  The motorcycle was seized and a hooning infringement issued.

•          A 33-year-old man was detected riding a motorcycle at 128kph in an 80kph zone, on Tiger Brennan Drive.  He was issued an infringement for $1040.

•          A motorcycle was detected at 107kph in a 70kph zone.  A pursuit was commenced and then terminated shortly after due to safety concerns after the motorcycle reached 242kph on the Stuart Highway.  Enquiries are continuing to identify the driver.

•          A male was observed reversing his car in a Palmerston shopping centre carpark.  His vehicle collided with a parked vehicle.  The driver was spoken to and returned a roadside breath test of 0.271%, whereupon he was arrested and charged with drink driving offences.

•          A motorcycle rider stopped and dumped his vehicle whilst approaching an RBT site in Palmerston.  He fled the area on foot and was not located. Police seized the motorcycle and enquiries continue as to the driver’s identity.

Senior Sergeant John Ginnane said, “These were only some of the vehicle incidents that NT Police responded to over the weekend. While the vast majority of motorists followed the law and got home safely, it is disappointing that a number of motorists chose to risk not only their own lives but the lives of others on our roads.

“We make no apology for targeting people who continue to risk the lives of others.  Our roads are not a playground.”