A MAN remains behind bars after allegedly wielding an axe at another driver during a road rage incident at Port Stephens ahead of the long weekend.
Authorities were called to Tomago Road about 3.20pm on Thursday after reports a hatchback and sedan collided.
Police were told the hatchback driver approached the other vehicle while armed with an axe following the collision and ran into nearby bushland before officers arrived at the scene.
They set up a perimeter and called in the Dog Unit to help search the area and arrested Jonathan Alex Nean at a Cabbage Tree Road property in Williamtown at about 6.30pm.
The 35-year-old was taken to Raymond Terrace police station and charged with three outstanding warrants as well as trespass and three counts of possess prohibited drug.
Mr Nean did not apply for bail when he faced the charges for the first time in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Friday.
He was not required to enter any pleas and will face court again on July 1.
Police said inquiries into further charges relating to the crash and alleged road rage incident were ongoing.
Double demerits came into force at 12am on Friday, and will run until 11.59pm on Monday.
The extra penalties are for illegal mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt, speeding and failing to wear a motorcycle helmet.
NSW Police highway patrol commander Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said the June long weekend was traditionally one of the busiest times on the state's roads, which "causes us great concern".
"Just in the past few weeks alone we have seen multiple fatal crashes on our roads," he said on Thursday morning.
"This should not be acceptable to us as a community.
"But it is not just the responsibility of police to ensure road safety is enforced. I would urge anyone who is a passenger in a vehicle to call out the bad behaviour of drivers.
"It's up to all of us to do better."
