NSW Police are urging all motorists to ‘Slow Down’ and remain patient on the state’s roads this long weekend, after two people died on NSW roads in the past 24 hours.
Operation Slow Down – a high-visibility traffic operation – was launched at midnight yesterday (Friday 4 October 2019) and continues until 11.59pm on Monday (7 October 2019).
Double demerits will be enforced throughout the entire long-weekend for all speeding, mobile phones, seatbelt, and motorcycle-helmet offences.
Two lives have been lost in two crashes during Operation Slow Down so far and both crashes occurred on rural roads. So far this year, 284 people have died on NSW roads.
Police are concerned at the significant amount of speeding offences overnight, with more than 1200 speeding incidents across the state since Operation Slow Down commenced.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said drivers need to heed the warnings of police to save their lives and the lives of other road users.
“We will put every resource available into ensuring families get to and from their holiday destinations safely. Drivers, before heading out ensure you have had adequate rest, you’re not under the influence, and your mobile phone or tablet will not become a distraction on the journey,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Some examples of irresponsible driver behaviour detected during day one of Operation Slow Down include;
A 22-year-old man from Dapto with a provisional licence was stopped on Corrimal Street, Wollongong for excess speed. He was fined for exceed speed over 20km/h, and P2 not comply with passenger restriction. He was fined a total of $1200 and received 15 demerit points.
A 31-year-old man was detected driving at a speed of 159km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Hume Highway at Tumblong. He was issued an over 45km/h traffic infringement notice and his driver’s licence was suspended for six months.
Key statistics (progressive total):
Speed infringements: 1,228
Breath tests: 50,000
PCA charges: 20
Major crashes: 80
Fatalities: 2
