The NSW Police Force has joined with Transport NSW to launch a police operation to target excessive speed, alcohol and drug driving, fatigue, and distracted driving, to prevent road trauma over the King's Birthday long weekend.
Operation King's Birthday 2024 will commence at 12.01am tomorrow (Friday 7 June 2024) and conclude at 11.59pm on Monday 10 June 2024. Double demerit points will apply for the duration of the operation.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, together with local police, will patrol all roads across the state, targeting traffic offences with the aim of preventing injury and death.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said police will be taking an absolute zero tolerance approach to all dangerous driving behaviour, as they do every day.
"Our message to drivers this long weekend is to be safe and drive to the conditions so you can return home to your loved ones," said Minister Catley.
"We don't want to see dangerous behaviour on our roads. We all have a responsibility every time we get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Don't speed, don't drink, or take drugs and drive, and don't use your mobile phone while driving."
"And if you're feeling tired, the only way to fight fatigue is to take a rest."
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden, said police will continue to target behaviour that endangers lives on NSW roads.
"This coming weekend is traditionally one of the busiest on our roads which causes us great concern."
"Just in the past few weeks alone we have seen multiple fatal crashes on our roads. This should not be acceptable to us as a community.
"But it is not just the responsibility of police to ensure road safety is enforced. I would urge anyone who is a passenger in a vehicle to call out the bad behaviour of drivers."
"You may not only save your own life, but someone else's too. It's up to all of us to do better."
Transport for NSW's Centre for Road Safety and Maritime Safety Chief, Bernard Carlon, said:
"We all need to work together to make sure everyone reaches their destination safely."
"Double demerits will be in place for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences – I'm reminding everyone to please follow the rules by sticking to the speed limit, wearing their seatbelt or helmet and putting the phone away."
"During the double demerit period for the King's Birthday last year, wetragically lost 13 people on our roads. We don't want to lose more lives this public holiday, so please be careful when you're on the road."
"Additionally, we are expecting rain across some parts of the state over the weekend and roads may be slippery, which means it takes longer to stop in wet weather. Make sure you adjust your speed down, keep a safe gap from the vehicle in front, use your lights in rainy conditions, and never drive through floodwater."
Plan your trip by downloading the Live Traffic NSW app, 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.
