Police say they have been appalled at some behaviour on the state's roads during the Australia Day long-weekend, singling out the actions of a woman charged at Lake Macquarie as being among the most noteworthy incidents.
Officers stopped the 48-year-old after she was allegedly seen driving in the break-down lane on the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wyee on Monday.
A breath-test returned a positive result so she was arrested and underwent an analysis that returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.140.
She was charged and will face Wyong Local Court on February 17.
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Operation Safe Return - the Australia Day long-weekend double demerit period - ended on Monday night.
Police conducted more than 190,000 random breath tests across the state during the operation, charged 316 people with drink-driving and caught nearly 5000 people speeding.
"We continue to encourage drivers to organise alternative transport when they are drinking, however some choose to continue to put themselves, other road users and pedestrians at risk by driving while over the limit," highway patrol commander Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.
"Remember, as a driver you are not only responsible for your own safety but the safety of everyone in your car."
