POLICE nabbed more than 500 speeding drivers during a coordinated school holiday operation stretching from border to border along the state's east coast.
The high-visibility, two-day effort by NSW, Queensland and Victoria police was aimed at driving down the rate of devastating crashes and reducing road trauma.
More than 150 police, including in the Newcastle and Hunter areas on major roads like the Pacific Highway and M1, detected 17 drink drivers from more than 2600 random breath tests on September 27 and 28.
More than 400 random drug tests were carried out and 52 were positive, police said.
Of the 520 drivers caught speeding, 10 were charged with tearing along at more than 45 kilometres per hour over the signposted limit.
More than 400 other traffic infringements were issued, 18 drivers were fined for being on their phones, 31 were found to be driving without a valid licence and 35 defect notices were issued.
Newcastle highway patrol Chief Inspector Thomas Barnes said the two-day operation was "aimed at reducing serious injury collisions and fatalities, which continue to occur despite the best efforts of police".
"We're trying to make sure people get home safely and don't place themselves and others at risk," he said ahead of Operation Border to Border on the weekend.
The operation targeted dangerous, impaired, distracted and fatigued driving along key transport routes and major highways between Melbourne and Brisbane.
Another similar operation is scheduled for the coming weeks, but the focus has now turned to the October long weekend.
"Police will again be out in force ... to ensure everybody travelling to, from or through the greater Newcastle Hunter area arrives safely at their respective destinations," Chief Inspector Barnes said.
As of midnight on October 1, 254 people have lost their lives on NSW roads this year.
It wasn't just Operation Border to Border keeping drivers in check on the weekend, PolAir was based in Newcastle to back police on the ground under Operation Vikings.
It responded to more than 18 different police jobs, which included three traffic incidents and a car crash.
The police helicopter responded to reports of vehicles conducting burnouts on Greenleaf Road at Kooragang and was able to direct highway patrol officers to the car.
A 21-year-old man was arrested and allegedly returned a positive blood alcohol reading of 0.084. He was charged with dangerous driving and mid-range drink driving.
Transport authorities have also urged drivers to continue "packing patience" when travelling these school holidays, and on the upcoming long weekend, due to roadworks in the area.
Haxham is a known pinch point and congestion will be monitored by Transport for NSW.
"I can't stress enough if you are spending time on our road network across the holiday period please put safety first," executive director of operations management Craig Moran said.
"Drive to conditions, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, and make sure you get to your destination safely."
