Thirty-two people have been caught drink driving and 60 recorded positive roadside drug tests in the Hunter Region over the Christmas-New Year period.
Police detected 1235 offences during the operation, which began on December 23 and ends on Tuesday.
Highway patrol officers detected 417 people speeding over that period, Acting Inspector Scott Lewington said.
The offences included:
- A 34-year-old male detected on New England Highway at Belford, travelling at 113kmh in an 80kmh zone, overtaking traffic and cutting in front of vehicles. When stopped, he had three children under five in the vehicle. He recorded a mid-range drink-driving reading.
- A 22-year-old male detected on radar on the Newcastle Inner city Bypass at Charlestown, travelling at 152kmh in a 90kmh zone. His licence was suspended.
- An 18-year-old male was stopped on Hunter Expressway at Seahampton, travelling at 160kmh in a 110kmh zone. He was the holder of a P1 licence and should only have been doing 90kmh. His licence was suspended.
- A 24-year-old male driver recorded a high-range drink-driving reading, after his vehicle hit a tree in Singleton Heights.
Two men - a 28-year-old and 21-year-old from the Central Coast - were also charged over an incident in Hunter Street in Newcastle at 1.20am on New Year's Day.
Newcastle City Police District Inspector Anita Kruse said the "public order incident" involved an "altercation with groups of males".
"Police attended, behaviour escalated, they were arrested and charged with affray, refuse to comply with a direction and resist police in execution of their duty. The 21-year-old was charged with assault of a police officer."
Inspector Kruse said the two arrests on New Year's Eve were "lower than a normal night".
She said police estimated that about 40,000 people gathered on the Newcastle foreshore and Stockton on New Year's Eve.
"Everybody was well behaved. It was a good night. Thanks to the public for coming into the city and enjoying themselves in the right spirit."
Police inspected 59 licenced premises on New Year's Eve. "There were no issues with hotels or clubs," Inspector Kruse said.
In the Christmas-New Year operation, police also caught 26 disqualified drivers, 27 suspended drivers, eight cancelled drivers and 32 people with expired driver's licences.
Police nabbed 19 people for seatbelt offences and 25 for mobile phone offences.
Acting Inspector Lewington urged the community to "stay safe on the roads".
"We ask for people to be patient and mindful of taking breaks, don't exceed speed limits and wear seatbelts as they get to their destination safely," he said.
