The first instinct on reading the following newspaper article might be to note the double demerit points and skip over the warning it contains.
As an incentive to consider being extra careful over the remainder of this week I draw your attention, not just to the 111 people killed on NSW roads up to 22 April in 2024, but also to the fact that it wasn't just those 58 drivers who were killed.
There were 18 passengers, 15 pedestrians, one lone person on a bicycle and 19 motorcyclists.
One of those dead was a very small child under 5 year of age, 10 were aged between 6 and 20 years of age, 64 were aged between 21 & 59 years and 36 were older people aged 65 years & over.
The majority of these deaths (73) occurring on rural and regional roads, with the latest fatal crashes on 20 April 2024 at Marulan in the Southern Highlands and on the Mitchell Highway near Dubbo.
So be careful out there - it is more than your own life you are risking if you behave foolishly.
The Western Weekender, 23 April 2024
Police
are planning a huge presence on the roads for the ANZAC Day public
holiday and the upcoming weekend.
Operation
ANZAC Day 2024 will launch at 12.01am on Wednesday, April 24 2024,
with double demerit points in place until 11.59pm on Sunday, April 28
2024, coinciding with the end of the school holidays.
The
reminder comes after 111 people lost their lives so far this year,
compared to 100 in the same period last year.
Minister
for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said police will be
highly visible across the state this ANZAC Day weekend.
“Every
driver has a responsibility to themselves, their passengers and other
road users. Drive responsibly and drive to the conditions to ensure
everyone arrives safely at their destination,” she said.
“ANZAC
Day is a time to reflect on and commemorate our veterans. I want to
thank the NSW Police Force for working around the clock to help keep
the community safe this long weekend.”
The
high-visibility policing operation will involve general duties
officers, assisted by specialist police, including the Public Order
and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Mounted Unit, PolAir,
Licensing Police, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Police
Transport Command.
Traffic
and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden,
said the appeal to road users is to do the right thing before they
head out, rather than have regrets when it’s too late.
Police
will be targeting high-risk behaviours such as excessive speed,
alcohol and drug driving offences, illegal use of mobile phones and
not wearing seatbelts.
“The
goal is preventing injury and death. Tragically this year, 111 people
have died on NSW roads – a concerning increase of 11 deaths
compared to this time last year,” he said.
“Speeding
is a major contributor to fatal road crashes, and police will take
action against road users who think they can speed and put themselves
and others at risk.
“A
decision to speed could result in a fatality in a split-second. Think
about your choices and how they impact you and others around you.
Share the road and make sure you arrive to your destination safely.
“We
remain committed to ensuring public safety over the ANZAC Day
weekend, and we’re asking all motorists to do their part as well –
especially as we expect more cars on our roads with school holidays
coming to an end.”
Transport
for NSW Director of Road Safety Policy, Louise Higgins- Whitton said
it was important that all road users obey the rules so everyone makes
it home safe.
“Double
demerits will be in place for all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone
and motorcycle helmet offences, we want everyone to follow the rules
and do the right thing,” Higgins-Whitton said.
“Whether
it’s a short trip to the local shops or you’re heading home as
school holidays end, please make sure you’re doing everything you
can to keep yourself and others safe.
“Simple
things everyone can do include wearing a seatbelt, putting the mobile
phone away, sticking to the speed limit, ensuring you’re well
rested before you set out on your journey and never driving if
affected by drugs or alcohol.”
