Police will target speeding, drink driving, and drug driving these school holidays, after nine separate crashes claimed nine lives on NSW roads in less than a week.
NSW Police Force and Transport for NSW are urging motorists to slow down, plan ahead, and drive to the conditions as families hit the road for the spring break.
Friday, 25 September is the last day of Term 3 for NSW public schools. Many families are expected to leave early, with heavier traffic likely from Thursday afternoon and throughout Friday.
Drivers should expect more traffic leaving Sydney and other metropolitan centres, and higher volumes on regional roads.
So far this year, 253 people have died on NSW roads, eight more than at the same time last year.
Since Thursday, 17 September, nine crashes have killed seven men, a teenage boy, and a teenage girl at Osbourne, Bodalla, Corrimal, Katoomba, Booral, Eden, Hornsby, Chatswood, and Point Clare.
“Police want everyone to get to their destination safely and to enjoy the school holidays,” said Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Assistant Commissioner David Driver.
“During the school holidays police will have a particular focus on speed enforcement, general compliance and roadside alcohol and drug testing.”
“Our message is clear and simple.”
“Police will not tolerate actions that place other road users at risk.”
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray asked road users to be patient and take care.
“If you’re behind the wheel, please stick to the speed limit and drive to the conditions, sometimes that can mean slowing down significantly if the weather is bad,” Mr Murray said.
The warning comes during Road Rules Awareness Week, which runs until Sunday, 27 September.
Transport for NSW has launched seven new online Road Safety Learning Lab modules. They cover driving to the conditions, child car seat safety, fatigue, bicycle safety, alcohol and drug driving, road safety treatments, and misunderstood road rules.
The modules use real crash data, simulations, videos, and quizzes.
With pedestrian deaths rising this year, the campaign also aims to clear up some of the most misunderstood road rules, including how to share the road safely with pedestrians and cyclists.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and properly understanding the rules is one of the simplest ways we can help protect ourselves and others every time we use the road network,” said Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison.
“Whether you’re behind the wheel, on a bike, on a motorcycle or walking on the footpath, taking a few minutes to brush up on your knowledge could help prevent a crash and save a life.”
The Road Safety Learning Lab is available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/driving-nsw/roads-safety-and-rules/road-safety-learning-lab.
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