NSW Police’s Easter holiday road safety campaign has already started.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Operation Merret, an unorthodox and proactive approach to road policing, aimed at educating and empowering the public to make the right decisions on roads started just after midnight on Thursday, March 29.
Certainly double-demerits and an increased police presence are happening across the South Coast Police District and for more than 20 years have been an effective deterrent in reducing road trauma during public holiday periods.
But during Operation Merret and throughout the Easter period, you will see more police on the roads, not only targeting motorists for dangerous behaviours, but educating drivers on safe behaviour and encouraging those who are doing the right thing through positive reinforcement.
More than one life lost for every day this year, has prompted police to take the unorthodox approach to road safety.
The long weekend road safety campaign, along with a proactive campaign, aims at ensuring motorists, passengers and pedestrians consider how their decisions impact other road users.
With people continuing to die on our roads in avoidable circumstances, police are stepping up their efforts.
The operation concludes at 11.59pm on Monday, April 2.
Once again this weekend police will be focusing on excessive or inappropriate speeds, alcohol and drug driving, fatigue, not wearing of restraints or helmets and of course distractions such as mobile phone use while driving.
Driving is a privilege not a right. Ninety-four people have already lost their lives on NSW roads this year. That is more than one person every day. We don’t want to see another community hurting like the people of the South Coast.
- NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn
NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said the community needs to work with police to make roads safer.
“Driving is a privilege not a right and motorists, passengers and pedestrians need to be accountable for the decisions they make that impact other road users,” she said.
“Ninety-four people have already lost their lives on NSW roads this year. That is more than one person every day. We don’t want to see another community hurting like the people of the South Coast.
“Every police officer in the state has been tasked with speaking to drivers, riders, passengers and pedestrians about their responsibilities and safe choices on and around our roads.
“While we will continue to reduce road trauma through enforcement, especially during the double-demerit period, it is important that the community does their part in saving lives on our roads.
“If people think our approach to road safety this year is extreme, I make no apologies. What is extreme is the pain those 94 families who have lost a loved one are going through.”