Untitled

Police appeal to road users to stay safe as school holidays start - Traffic and Highway Patrol Command

Thursday, 26 September 2024 11:20:27 AM

Police are appealing to road users to stay safe on the road ahead of the upcoming school holidays.

With the aim of keeping the road toll at zero during the school holiday period, police will be out in force to ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safely.

The school holidays begin on Monday (30 September 2024) and conclude on Friday 9 October 2024).

As of Wednesday (25 September 2024), in NSW there had been 221 fatal crashes resulting 244 lives lost compared with 220 crashes and 248 lives lost at the same period last year.

Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol, Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver, is urging all road users to take personal responsibility for their actions and keep safety as the top priority.

“Police want everyone to get their destination safely and to enjoy the school holidays. Our officers will be out in force over the entirety of the school holidays conducting speed enforcement along with random breath testing and drug testing and will not tolerate actions that put other road users at risk.”

“People should anticipate heavier traffic on our roads particularly around popular holiday destinations. Please be patient and allow extra travel time with enough planned rest breaks. Police will also perform additional patrols on the major thoroughfares and coastal roads.”

“NSW Police Force have also consulted with Victoria Police and Queensland Police Service to focus on key transport routes in border areas during the school holidays.”

“We remind everyone that if you are travelling with extra passengers and luggage the additional weight means your vehicle may handle differently and will require extra distance to stop. If the road is wet, you will need even more distance between your vehicle and the one in front should you have to stop suddenly” Acting Assistant Commissioner Driver said.