If road-users just heeded the warnings, NSW Police representatives wouldn’t sound “like a broken record” every holiday period.
But, there’s been 156 lives lost in 2026 alone, 11 more than the same time last year.
Now, officers will be out in force again to target speeding and dangerous driving as part of a major traffic campaign over the coming days.
They’ll have a high-visibility presence for Operation King’s Birthday 2026, conducted from 12.01am on Friday 5 June to 11.59pm on Monday 8 June, with double demerits also in place.
It involves Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of general duties and specialist police from all commands and districts in NSW.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said road safety was everyone’s responsibility… and, this long weekend, it should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“Sadly, the message is the same as every other day,” the Swansea MP stated.
“Stay alert, make responsible decisions and get home safely.
“One moment of complacency is all it takes to change lives forever… and we see the consequences of that far too often.
“I want to thank our police officers working across the long weekend.
“While many of us are spending time with family and friends, they’re out there doing the job of keeping our communities safe.”
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver admitted speeding remained the highest cause of road fatalities.
“We are again asking every driver to take responsibility and slow down this long weekend,” he said.
“The stopping distance is the total space a vehicle needs to come to a complete stop.
“And, it increases dramatically as speed rises.
“If a driver is travelling at 100km an hour and is confronted with a sudden hazard, it could take about the length of a football field to stop.
“At 60 km/h, a motorist typically needs more than 40 metres to stop.
“At 80 km/h, that distance can increase to more than 60 metres, depending on road conditions, tyres and the driver’s alertness.
“That difference can be the space between a near-miss and a fatal crash.
“This is why police consistently reinforce that every kilometre over the limit increases risk.
“Higher speeds reduce the time drivers have to respond, increase the distance needed to stop, and significantly worsen the severity of any crash.
“If you’re travelling this weekend, give yourself time, drive to the conditions and don’t take risks.”
Plan your trip by downloading the Live Traffic NSW app, visiting livetraffic.com, phoning 132 701, or using the TfNSW journey planning tool myjourneynsw.info.
Members of the public are urged to report motorists engaged in dangerous driving to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, too.
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