Sergeant Martin Ling warns motorists that all police cars are mobile random breath and drug testing units and that all available highway patrol officers will be on our roads over the holiday period.
Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils in conjunction with NSW Police are reminding motorists to drive safely and to remember that double demerits are in place for 11 days over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Double demerits start on Thursday, 24 December 2020 and run through to Sunday, 3 January 2021 and apply for all speeding, seat belt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.
Drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period will be hit with a $457 fine and 10 demerits.
Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said that “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, we all have a part to play in driving down the road toll.”
“Too often, people think it is ok for them to quickly check a text or drive faster than the speed limit because they know the road, or they get behind the wheel when they are tired or have had a few drinks.”
“We want everyone to have a happy and safe Christmas with their families, please obey the road rules and drive safely,” Melanie said.
With state borders now open and COVID restrictions further eased in NSW, authorities are expecting traffic to increase over the holiday period as people drive to see their loved ones and have a break. With that increase in traffic, comes increased risk of a crash.
NSW Police’s Central West Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling said, “Statistics show that there’s a 30% reduction in casualty crashes when double demerit points are in play.”
“The road toll usually makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons at this time of year. Let’s get it in print for the right reason this year by recording a fatality-free holiday period,” Martin said.