NSW Police are gearing up to take on nearly 100 amateur drivers at the inaugural “Beat the Blue” fundraising event in Sydney today (Saturday 7 September 2019).
The ‘Beat the Blue’ event will be co-hosted by two major sponsors – Driving Solutions and Royal Purple Oils – and held at the Sydney Motorsport Park at Eastern Creek.
It will feature a unique opportunity for members of the public to ‘face off’ against NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers in a safe and controlled environment.
Road safety demonstrations will be scheduled throughout the event, which is designed to promote safe driving and break down barriers between police and the community.
A number of NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol vehicles, as well as cars owned by members of the community, will be on display throughout the event.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said police are always looking for different ways to engage with the community to drive home road safety messaging.
“We are proud to support ‘Beat the Blue’ which has been organised by Senior Constable Steven Planinic, who has spent 11 of his 15 years of service with Traffic and Highway Patrol Command,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“By participating in events like this, our officers build relationships with the community and help spread important road safety messaging so that we can reduce trauma on our roads.
“So far this year, more than 200 lives have been lost on NSW roads and, as always, we are calling on all road users to play their part and obey the road rules to make sure that everyone makes it to their destinations safely.
“All police officers have been tasked with speaking to drivers, riders, passengers and pedestrians about their responsibilities and safe choices on and around our roads,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Senior Constable Steven Planinic of the Fairfield Traffic and Highway Patrol said the aim of the event is to bring car enthusiasts and police together.
“Beat the Blue is an opportunity for us as police to pass on the skills we learn as Highway Patrol Officers to members of the public in a safe and controlled environment,” Snr Cst Planinic said.
“While police and the community will have the opportunity to go head to head with one another, this is not about going quick – it is about knowing the limits of your own driving skills and how your car performs.
“We have a tight and challenging course and after the first round, Highway Patrol staff and instructors from our major sponsors, will chat with the drivers and offer advice to improve their technical skills,” Snr Cst Planinic said.
All money raised from the event will be donated to NSW Police Legacy, a charity which supports the families of fallen police officers.
NSW Police Legacy Chair, Detective Superintendent Gary Merryweather said events like “Beat the Blue” truly reflect the dedication of NSW Police officers in protecting the community.
“Sadly, some of our policing families know the tragedy of road trauma all too well – this year alone we have already lost the life of one of boys in blue,” Det Supt Merryweather said.
“We are proud to be here today see our officers actively engaging with the public to hopefully prevent further serious injury or deaths on our roads – no lives should be lost due to reckless behaviour.
“NSW Police Legacy currently look after more than 1000 NSW Police Legatees, and on their behalf, I’d like to thank the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the community for their support of our fallen officers and their families,” Det Supt Merryweather said.
For more information about ‘Beat the Blue’, visit https://www.beattheblue.org/about or https://www.facebook.com/pebeattheblue/
For more information about NSW Police Legacy, visit https://www.policelegacynsw.org.au/
