Wagga’s Highway Patrol force are gearing up for the busy Christmas period with Operation Safe Arrival kicking off today.
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Double demerits will apply from Friday, December 22 with all Traffic and Highway Patrol Command staff on duty until New Year performing random breath tests, mobile drug testing, speed enforcement and vehicle and driver compliance checks.
Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Sivewright said the Riverina cluster will be boosted by additional resources from Sydney.
“We’ll have all our vehicles out on the roads during the day and night time so the public can see us.”
The Wagga Command is made up of 20 officers and nine vehicles.
“With more people going away, wanting to get there, they can get distracted by their mobile phones, we’ll be out there trying to deter people from committing offences,” Sergeant Sivewright said.
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“For those travelling long distances we hope they have had at least eight hours sleep before they begin their journey, and stop every two hours or when tired.
“Personal responsibility is the key to road safety in NSW. We urge those on our roads over the school holidays, Christmas and the New Year to help us keep everyone safe on NSW roads.”
Last Christmas and New Year period saw 40 people die on Australian roads, up from 34 the year before.
NSW was the worst state for fatalities, claiming 12 of the dead.