Police are reminding drivers that double-demerits started this morning, as Operation Safe arrival continues through the Christmas and New Year period, NSW Police say.
Double-demerits started early this morning (12.01am on Friday 23 December 2016) and will continue through to Monday 2 January 2017.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, Acting Commander of State’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, said that double demerits should not be the only deterrent for people over the holiday period.
"Double demerits have already started this morning, and all drivers - especially those on their p-plates - can lose their licence in a flash.
"While double-demerits are an important deterrent, I want people to be reminded that the real reason you should obey the rules is not to keep your licence, it’s to keep your life.
"We had no fatal crashes reported overnight, but four have already died in the week since we started the operation.
"The death toll on the roads stands at 372. I don’t see that as a number, I see it as more than 300 families mourning rather than celebrating the holidays," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Operation Safe Arrival launched last Friday (16 December 2016) and will continue into the New Year, ending on Monday 2 January 2017.
During the operation police want road users to think about the #Five2Arrive; five simple tips for road users in order to arrive home safely:
- Don’t speed.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Wear a seatbelt.
- Put your phone away, and
- Take regular breaks.
It has been a week since Operation Safe Arrival started and already;
- Four people have died,
-316 people have been charged with drink-driving,
-19,743 infringements have been issued, including 8,203 for speeding, and
-686 major crashes have been reported, resulting in 237 people injured.
