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A banned driver who crashed his car in Lavington has been fined for breaching coronavirus restrictions. He told police he was visiting his drug dealer. And that was deemed "non-essential" travel in these times of COVID-19. The incident came only hours after Albury Superintendent Paul Smith said police had told people to return to their homes while breaching rules and issued verbal warnings, but at that stage hadn't handed out any penalties. "You can only leave your home with a reasonable excuse and I think people really need to get educated about that," he said. "People need to look at what is essential." The 51-year-old man from Wodonga, the sole occupant of vehicle which crashed about 6pm Wednesday, was not injured. He was arrested and taken to hospital for blood and urine testing. Checks revealed he was already banned from driving. He was given an infringement notice for contravening a public health order and must face court for disqualified driving, which he has priors for. Superintendent Paul Hargreaves said officers were receiving calls about people - usually young people - gathering in groups. While Wodonga police were using their discretion and are yet to issue fines, he said officers were "fast getting to the point where we won't tolerate people doing the wrong thing". "We are urging people in our community, they must comply with our requirements," Superintendent Hargreaves said. "If not, they may be subject to those fines." There are slightly different restrictions on each side of the border, with heftier fines in Victoria. Superintendent Hargreaves said both police forces were working together to understand the restrictions in place in each state. "For us it's about making sure people know what they have to do, it's about accepting people are learning and adjusting, but equally, where it needs to be, it will be about enforcement," he said. "The message has made quite clear, the information is out there, it is available. "Don't be the person who does the wrong thing when so many are doing the right thing." NSW police issued 13 penalties for breaches on Wednesday.

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