Tamworth police were carrying out random breath testing when the 33-year-old allegedly recorded a reading of 0.180 at 8am on Boxing Day.

He was charged and had his licence suspended, while in Moree, a man will front court on the same charge.

The 49-year-old was stopped by police just after 4.30pm on Christmas Day and allegedly blew 0.174.

Licence checks also revealed the man is allegedly disqualified from driving until 2019.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old in Quirindi has had his licence suspended after allegedly recording a blood alcohol reading of 0.082.

The P-plater – who is restricted to a zero alcohol level – was stopped by officers just after midnight on Christmas Day and faces one charge of mid-range PCA.

Highway patrol Leading Senior Constable Richard Hooley told The Leader police had carried out more than 9,500 random breath tests to Christmas night since Operation Safe Arrival kicked off.

“Barwon has recorded seven PCAs, New England has had five PCAs and Oxley nine,” he said.

But speeding continues to be a problem with the red and blue flashing lights catching hundreds of motorists across the New England North West.

Police in the Oxley area have booked 166 drivers for speeding and nine for seatbelt offences, while another 140 others have been handed tickets for various offences.

In New England, 184 people have been caught speeding, 10 not wearing seatbelts and 103 others have been issued tickets.

In Barwon, 80 drivers have been handed speeding tickets, almost as many infringements for other offences have been handed out, and two people have been detected without a seatbelt.

Meanwhile, a 33-year-old woman and three passengers had a lucky escape, suffering only minor injuries, after their Honda CRV lost control and crashed into a tree on the New England Highway at Garoo on Christmas Eve. 

“We’re asking motorists not to speed, just be aware of the extra traffic, stay alert, ensure the driver and all the passengers are wearing seatbelts or child restraints and don’t take unnecessary risks,” Leading Senior Constable Hooley said.

Double demerits are in force until January 2.