Police have praised racegoers for their behaviour following the Duck Creek Picnic Races, but remind drivers to consider the risks of fatigue and the excessive consumption of alcohol.
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Over the weekend there was a heavy police presence around the Bogan Shire for the race meeting.
Police reported there were 57 traffic infringements issued with 13 for speeding offences and 11 for drink-driving offences.
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"As always we have people that will have a big Saturday, they will have a few hours sleep and think that's enough to sober up and drive," Police Sergeant Tony Wood said.
"Unfortunately that's not the case. We had a number of people that were detected over the limit driving home on the Sunday morning.
"We always say, particularly to novice drivers ... if you're going to drink, even the next day, do not drive."
On Sunday at about 7.30am a 19-year-old Brarraba woman returned a PCA reading of 0.018. Later at about 8am a 22-year-old Rankin Springs man returned a positive test of 0.09, and at 9.20am a 19-year-old Nevertire man returned a 0.085 reading. At 10.55am a 25-year-old Tamworth man returned a reading of 0.068. Each had their licence suspended and will appear before local court later this month.
Police also conducted four drug detections, five vehicle searches, 21 person searches and 10 licensed premise inspections.
"We had a drug dog patrolling the event, which is standard for any of these events and festivals of this nature," Sergeant Wood said. "The drug dogs are designed to detect drug suppliers and dealers who might attend these events."
On Friday evening a 46-year-old woman was stopped for a random breath test outside a Nyngan petrol station, police dogs suspected the vehicle contained illicit drugs. The woman was found in possession of 10 grams of cannabis and subsequently issued with a cannabis caution notice.
About 4am Saturday morning it is alleged a car was driven through a camping ground at Nevertire, driving over the top of four people sleeping in swags. The occupants of the swags were taken to Dubbo Hospital suffering minor injuries. The 37-year-old male driver was taken to Warren hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.
About 8pm on Saturday evening police conducted a licensed premises inspection in Nyngan where police located a quantity of MDMA on a 21-year-old woman.
Shortly after at about 9.20pm police searched an 18-year-old man at the racecourse, locating a quantity of MDMA in capsule form.
Overall the Sergeant said the weekend was a "big success" and has praised organisers for their cooperation.
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
