Police will be out in force from 6pm on Friday night to 6pm on Sunday night, targeting poor behaviour to combat road trauma and save lives on rural roads as part of Operation Chrome. 

Riverina Police District Inspector Peter McLay has reminded road users to be careful and “do the right thing”.

“We’ve had some pretty serious accidents already this year – some of those we suspect are as a result of fatigue or alcohol impaired drivers,” he said. 

“We will have lots of extra police conducting random mobile and stationary breath and drug tests.” 

Inspector McLay said families returning home from the school holiday period should remain alert and take adequate rest breaks. 

“We still have a number of people who choose to drive long distances without breaks which can result in terrible consequences,” he said. 

“We need to remind people to be careful when driving, not to speed or drink alcohol and attempt to drive or use mobile phones.

“Expect to be pulled over this weekend if you’re out and about.” 

Traffic and Highway Patrol Regional Command Superintendent Bob Ryan said we have already lost 118 lives on NSW roads this year.

“More than two-thirds of those lives lost are in regional areas,” he said. 

“The biggest tragedy is that most of the lives we have already lost were because of a poor decision by someone behind the wheel.”