Police in the Southern Region are launching Operation Chrome this weekend, in order to reduce road trauma and save lives on rural roads.
The first phase of Operation Chrome will run from tomorrow (Friday 27 April 2018) until Sunday (29 April 2018).
The operation will utilise police from all Police Districts within the Southern region, working alongside officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command.
Police will be targeting poor driver behaviours that are costing lives on rural roads including speeding, drink and drug-driving, not wearing seatbelts, using a mobile phone while driving and fatigue.
Drivers and riders should expect to see more police on rural roads and highways in the southern region over the coming days.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrie, Commander of the Southern Region, said reducing rural road trauma is a priority for the entire southern region.
“During Operation Chrome, it will not only be officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol that will be tasked with keeping everyone safe on our roads.
“If you are on our roads and doing something wrong you can expect to be stopped by detectives in an unmarked car, general duties police, or one of our highway patrol officers.
“Our primary aim is to stop fatal crashes before they happen. To do that, we make no apologies for enforcing the road rules that are the biggest contributors to fatal crashes.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. If every driver or rider takes personal responsibility for their actions, it will save lives. It’s that simple,” Assistant Commissioner Barrie said.
Superintendent Bob Ryan, Regional Command of the Traffic & Highway Patrol said,
“Sadly, we have already lost 118 lives on NSW roads this year. More than two-thirds of those lives lost are in regional areas.
“The biggest tragedy is that most of the lives we have already lost were because of a poor decision by someone behind the wheel.
“We make no apologies for taking licences away from anyone who puts themselves and other road users at risk through dangerous driving behaviours," Superintendent Ryan said.
