Police out in force this King’s long weekend

THE NSW Police Force has joined with Transport NSW to launch a police operation to target excessive speed, alcohol/drug driving, fatigue, seatbelt and distracted driving to prevent road trauma over the Kings Birthday long weekend.

Operation King’s Birthday 2023 commences today (Friday, June 9) and will conclude at 11.59pm on Monday (June 12).

Double demerit points will apply for the duration of the operation for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, together with local police, will be patrolling all roads across the state, targeting traffic offences with the aim of preventing injury and death.

Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell – Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said this coming long weekend is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year on our roads and to ensure motorists and passengers’ safety, police will be out in force.

“Many people will be undertaking long distance driving to see family and friends and I would like to remind them to ensure they have had sufficient rest before undertaking these journeys. If your feeling fatigued, don’t fight it just pull up and have a sleep or swap drivers,” Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said.

“Driving fatigued is just as dangerous as driving impaired under the influence of alcohol and drug use which we will also be targeting. On a daily basis we are detecting drivers affected by alcohol and drugs.”

“This year alone 148 people have been killed on NSW roads. Behind these numbers are family and friends who have lost a loved one. We will be doing our utmost to ensure people arrive safely to their destination.”

Transport for NSW Chief of the Centre for Road Safety, Bernard Carlon said it’s critical to plan your trip and drive to the conditions this long weekend.

“We encourage anyone getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle this weekend to give yourself plenty of time, stay focused on the road, wear your seatbelt, and don’t drink and drive. It’s not just your life you are endangering, it’s the lives of others.”

Plan your trip by visiting livetraffic.com or calling 132 701, or using the TfNSW journey planning tool myjourneynsw.info

Members of the public are urged to report motorists engaged in dangerous driving to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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