With more than 100 lives lost on NSW roads already this year, police from South Coast Police District are calling on all road users to slow down and travel safely in Southern Region, ahead of the upcoming school holidays.
NSW Police have already begun Operation Merret, an unorthodox and proactive approach to road policing, aimed at educating and empowering the public to make the right decisions on our roads.
Extra traffic is expected in the South Coast over the next few days as families head to popular holiday destinations.
Chief Inspector Susan Charman-Horton from South Coast Police District said drivers need to follow the road rules in order to return home safely.
"Drivers should be cautious at all times while on the roads and in particular focus on the five areas of concern to police. These are fatigue, seat belts, drink and drug driving, speeding and distractions such as mobile phones," Chief Inspector Charman-Horton said.
The school holidays begin on Friday 13 April 2018 at the end of the school day and conclude on Monday 30 April 2018.
In four weeks since the start of Operation Merret, more than 30,000 infringements have been issued across the state for a variety of offences including speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, and using a mobile phone while driving.
NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said all road users need to take personal responsibility and stay alert on NSW roads over the busy school holiday period.
“We began Operation Merret, an unorthodox approach to road safety in March this year, to help stem the number of lives lost on our roads.
“While we have seen a lot of positive feedback from the community, it is sad to see that the 30,000+ infringements represent 30,000 people who made a decision to put themselves and others at risk over the past four weeks.
“With an increase in road users over the school holidays, we are urging all road users to be vigilant and take personal responsibility for their actions on the road,” Deputy Commissioner Burn said.
