EXCESS speed proved to be the biggest problem for police as they rigidly enforced speed limits during the public holiday long weekend.

While the ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ message appears to be getting through with just three positive returns from more than 2300 random breath tests taken, drivers travelling at excess speed proved to be the biggest danger on our roads.

Mittagong Highway Patrol had their hands full issuing a number of tickets to motorists caught breaking speed limits during the three-day long holiday weekend.

Senior Constable John Kane admitted he was “shocked” by some of the recorded figures with motorists caught travelling at more than 50km/h over the speed limit.

Anyone caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h faces a fine of $1447 and the loss of six demerit points - doubled to 12 over the long weekend - meaning an automatic three month ban.

Police claim that one 22-year-old male was even caught speeding at a frightening 164km/h - the highest recorded speed taken during the long weekend in the Southern Highlands - in a 110km/h zone.

“Speeding has clearly been a concern to police over the long weekend and the young man caught travelling at 164km/h with three unrestrained passengers can only be described as a recipe for disaster.

“While the random breath testing operations provided only three positives throughout the Camden LAC, speeding was the major issue and is still the number one killer on our roads.

“Many of the offences took place on the newly installed roadworks on the Hume Highway near Mittagong where there is a temporary speed limit of 60km/h in force to protect maintenance workers.

“The public should be advised that we will be rigidly enforcing this area during the construction work, especially as one of the carriageways is closed forcing motorists to cross into the other side”.