Police will be out in force and targeting dangerous driving this long weekend as part of an operation designed to keep people safe on our roads.
Operation Labour Day 2024 commences at 12.01am on Friday 4 October 2024 and concludes at 11.59pm on Monday 7 October 2024.
Officers will be targeting drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phone use, speeding and seat belt and helmet offences, with double demerits in place for the duration of the operation.
Operation Labour Day will be led by officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of general duties police from all police commands and districts across the state.
So far this year, 254 people have died in crashes on NSW roads – 184 of those in regional areas. For the same period last year, 252 people died in crashes in NSW – 180 of those in regional areas.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver said the aim this weekend is to ensure all road users get to their destinations safely.
"We want everyone to enjoy their long weekend with their friends and family, so we are urging all motorists to plan and prepare for their trips, no matter how long they may be," Acting Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
"This means not driving while you are tired, taking breaks on long trips, driving to the conditions and not getting behind the wheel if you have been drinking alcohol, have taken illicit drugs or are impaired in any way.
"I'm urging all road users to be responsible on the road and encourage passengers to call out driving behaviour that they are uncomfortable with, or if it is unlawful – it could save someone's life, including your own.
"Police will be out in force across the state to encourage compliance with the road rules. The risk of a fine or the loss of demerit points should deter people from breaking the law. However, not putting the lives of others at risk should be the incentive to use our roads safely."
Ralston Fernandes, Director Road Safety, Strategy & Policy at Transport for NSW, said it is important that all motorists obey the road rules to help everyone reach their destinations safely and save lives this long weekend.
"It's all too easy to become complacent about road safety. But one poor decision or one moment's lapse in concentration can be the difference between life and death.
"Double demerits will be in place for all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences between Friday 4 October and Monday 7 October inclusive.
"You can help make our roads safer by driving under the speed limit, putting your phone away and by wearing a seatbelt correctly or your helmet if riding - these simple actions could just save your life.
"We want everyone to enjoy their trips and to reach their destinations safely and we need all road users to watch out for others and follow the rules," Mr Fernandes said.
Plan your trip by downloading the Live Traffic NSW app, visiting livetraffic.com, 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.
