South Australia Police will ramp up their presence on roads across the state ahead of the long weekend.
In order to help keep motorists safe, two police operations are set to launch tomorrow, Friday 24 January, beginning with the National Day of Action.
The Day of Action will see police organisations from across the country stand in solidarity in order to spread the message that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
The one-off day, which will run from 7am tomorrow until 7am Saturday 25 January, focuses on those who choose to drink and/or take drugs before getting behind the wheel.
The last National Day of Action ran in August of last year, and originates from a national forum held to address the challenges Australia is facing in respect to road safety.
In addition to the Day of Action, Operation Safe Long Weekend Australia Day will also be running across the state, beginning at 12:01am Friday 24 January and ending at midnight Monday 27 January.
Operation Safe Long Weekend will focus police resources on high risk behaviours that contribute to serious death and injuries on our roads. The Operation will also specifically target roads that carry a high volume of traffic and pose a risk of fatal and serious injury collisions.
Superintendent Bob Gray, Officer in Charge of the Traffic Services Branch, hopes the community will pay attention to repeated warnings from police.
“With the long weekend around the corner, we are doing everything we possibly can to prevent people from doing the wrong thing on our roads,” he said.
“And if road users don’t listen to our warnings, then we’re also doing everything we can to catch people who are doing the wrong thing.
“We publicly warn everyone about traffic operations through media and social media, and we allocate extra resources on our roads, but at the end of the day, it comes down to motorists.
“Drivers, cyclists, pedestrians; they’re all the ones who have the power to make real change, and it is essential that police, public and other agencies work together to reduce long term trauma on South Australian roads.”
“So make the right choice this long weekend. Don’t drink or drug drive, pay attention to the road rules, and help keep yourself and others safe.”
