As many of us make plans to visit family and friends over the Christmas holiday break, the New England Local Area Command is encouraging the community to plan their holiday travel and take extra care and attention whilst travelling to their destination.
With weather experts predicting rain, conditions could be perilous on our roads. Leading Senior Constable Dave Hodson of the New England Highway Patrol is pleading with people to slow down and drive to the conditions.
“Increases in traffic throughout the Christmas period is always high throughout the New England and we are expecting this year to be no different,” said Leading Senior Constable Dave Hodson.
“The RTA is out there busting their backs to get the roads into reasonable condition after the weeks of wet weather that we have had.
“It is predicted that we are going to get more wet weather in the near future.
“People need to plan their trip, make sure there aren’t any diversions in place as a result of creek flooding, or major disturbances in the road works that are going on.
“Slow down, take note of the caution signs that are coming up prior to road works and just back off their speed.”
The annual NSW Police “Safe Arrival’ campaign begins on December 3, 2011 and ends on January 6, 2012. Double demerits will be enforced throughout this period.
“During Operation Safe Arrival it will be all hands on deck, all vehicles will be out in the New England Local Area Command,” said Leading Senior Constable Dave Hodson.
“We have eight vehicles and 16 officers in the highway patrol who will be out at all hours of the day targeting the basics of speed, fatigue, drink driving and restraints.
“Unfortunately we are going through a bad spell at the moment, we are having a shocking period in relation to bad accidents.
“Our year for total in relation to fatalities has been one of the highest for some time and we would really like to put an end to it.
“We tend to have less traffic than the Pacific and the Newell Highways, maybe that is why people feel more comfortable about exceeding the speed limit.
“They become complacent with their driving abilities.”
So if you are planning a trip during the Christmas New Year period take the time to assess the road conditions and take regular breaks. Don’t let yourself become one of the holiday fatality statistics.
Story: Jo Harrison
