By MATT NICHOLLS
POLICE say they will have a no-tolerance approach to drivers breaking the law over the Easter period.
Long-time highway patrol officer Seargent Dave Bramble said all hands were on deck for Operation Tortoise, which starts tonight at midnight and runs until midnight on Monday.
“We will have six highway patrol officers based in Armidale on duty and 18 in the New England Local Area Command,” Sgt Bramble said.
“We don’t get to have Easter off with our families … we work to keep families on the road safe.”
Double demerit points will be enforced throughout Operation Tortoise, which focuses on speed, alcohol and drug impaired driving, fatigue, mobile phone use and the wearing of seatbelts.
“Like every Easter there will be a lot of people on the road and we want people to get to their destination safely,” Sgt Bramble said.
“Drive to the conditions and take regular breaks if you are driving long distances.”
The New England highway patrol team has a brief break on Tuesday and Wednesday next week before starting Operation Slow Down over the Anzac Day long weekend.
