Drivers urged to take care on roads ahead of school holidays ending
Friday, 18 July 2025 05:01:15 AM
NSW Police are urging drivers to get home safely ahead of heavy traffic expected over the weekend as families return from holidays.
Many cars are expected to be on roads across the state as they head home before school returns next week.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said officers would be conducting enforcement patrols and operations to encourage drivers to travel to the conditions.
“Every driver has a responsibility to themselves, their passengers and other road users to make sure they get to their destination safely,” he said.
“If you’re heading home as school holidays end, make sure you get enough sleep, focus on the task of driving, do not speed, wear a seatbelt and do not drive if affected by alcohol or drugs.
“Do the right thing so you don’t have regrets when it is too late. Do not put yourself, your passengers or other road users at risk.”
There have been seven lives loves since Saturday 5 July 2025. There were nine lives lost in the same period last year.
So far this year, 201 lives have been lost, 30 more deaths than for this time last year.
NSW Police data shows almost 20 percent of crashes involving injuries or fatalities occur during the 12 weeks of public school holidays.
Across the July school holidays, police have
- Issued 17,095 infringement notices
- Issued 6163 speeding offences
- Conducted 78,923 breath tests
- Detected 369 drink driving offences
- Detected 634 positive roadside drug tests
- Detected 447 mobile phone offences
- Detected 29 restraint offences
- Detected 3031 licence offences
Driving Tips:
- Look out for black ice, a coating of glaze ice on the surface of the road which is transparent and hard to see and can cause a loss of traction.
- Stay alert during heavy rainfall as it can cause pooling on the road, leading to an inability to control the vehicle and poor visibility.
- Where possible, avoid driving in dark and wet conditions as it carries the risk of not seeing wildlife.
- Drive to the conditions especially in regional areas like the Snowy Mountains, Orange, Bathurst and the Blue Mountains.
- Check your cars are roadworthy before travelling – monitor tyre pressure, fluids, brakes, lights, wipers and car battery to ensure they are in good working condition.