Police officers will be deployed across the state to target speeding and dangerous driving as part of a major traffic operation during the June long weekend.
As part of the King’s Birthday road safety campaign, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers are reinforcing the need to slow down when behind the wheel by demonstrating the faster a car travels, the less reaction time a driver has and the longer it takes for the vehicle to stop.
NSW Police will have a high-visibility presence across the state for Operation King’s Birthday 2026, which will be conducted from 12.01am Friday 5 June 2026 to 11.59pm Monday 8 June 2026.
The police operation involves officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of general duties and specialist police from all commands and districts in NSW.
Police will target excessive speed, alcohol and drug driving, distraction including mobile phone use, fatigue and restraint and helmet offences.
Double demerits will be in place for speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet offences during the King’s Birthday long weekend.
There have been 156 lives lost on NSW roads this year, which is 11 more than the same time last year.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and this long weekend it should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“This weekend will see a significant police presence on our roads, but the message is the same as every other day. Stay alert, make responsible decisions and get home safely,” Minister Catley said.
“We’re asking all road users to make safe decisions. One moment of complacency is all it takes to change lives forever, and we see the consequences of that far too often.
“I want to thank our police officers working across the long weekend. While many of us are spending time with family and friends, they’re out there doing the job of keeping our communities safe and helping people get home safely.”
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said every motorist had a responsibility to make the right decision, to ensure families got to their destination safely.
“One bad decision can lead to more than double demerits – it can result in someone losing their life.
“Speed continues to kill on NSW roads, and after every crash, a family is left to grieve their tragic loss.
“We want everyone to enjoy their long weekend, but most importantly, be safe on the roads.
“We’re urging every motorist to be vigilant, drive safely and follow the road rules, not just for a long weekend period, but all the time.”
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said the community had now been warned that officers would be out in force in an effort to protect motorists across the weekend.
“Speeding remains the highest cause of road fatalities, and we are again asking every driver to take responsibility and slow down this long weekend,” Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
“The stopping distance is the total space a vehicle needs to come to a complete stop, and it increases dramatically as speed rises.
“If a driver is travelling at 100km an hour and is confronted with a sudden hazard, it could take about the length of a football field to stop.
“At 60 km/h, a driver typically needs more than 40 metres to stop. At 80 km/h, that distance can increase to more than 60 metres, depending on road conditions, tyres and the driver’s alertness.
“That difference can be the space between a near-miss and a fatal crash.
“This is why police consistently reinforce that every kilometre over the limit increases risk.
“Higher speeds reduce the time drivers have to respond, increase the distance needed to stop, and significantly worsen the severity of any crash.
“If you’re travelling this weekend, give yourself time, drive to the conditions, and don’t take risks.”
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.
