Illawarra police say they are shocked at how many people drive after taking illicit drugs, and have vowed to maintain their focus on driver behaviour.
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Inspector Lee Ingmire, from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said police would continue to crack down on the "four Ds" on the roads.
"We have had numerous operations in recent weeks targeting drink, drug, distracted and dangerous driving, and it's quite shocking to see the large number of people choosing to get behind the wheel with illicit substances in their system," Inspector Ingmire said.
"We will continue to focus on driver behaviour and encourage the community to report dangerous driving where possible."
The comments follow a tragic weekend on the region's roads, with two people dead and three children hospitalised with serious injuries after two separate crashes.
The causes of these crashes are still under investigation.
Ang Darragh, 47, died in a collision on the M1 Princes Motorway at Figtree on Friday evening that also left her 15-year-old daughter with life-threatening injuries and two grandchildren in hospital.
Then early on Sunday morning, motorcyclist Shannon Faux lost his life after crashing into a power pole on Lake Avenue in Cringila.
Their deaths were the first on the roads in the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra police districts this year.
Jasmina Blazevska, who was critically injured in a crash involving a motorcycle and a car at Picton on Sunday, February 28, also succumbed to her injuries on Saturday morning.
Fifty-eight people have lost their lives on NSW roads in 2021.
Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving is urged to contact police, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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