Easter Road Safety – 18 March 2008
The Easter holiday long weekend has arrived sooner than we'd thought but behind the scenes, police have been long preparing for the additional demands this weekend brings, particularly for our Traffic Operations officers.
ACT and NSW traffic police will be working cooperatively this weekend to monitor the expected higher traffic volumes particularly on the Kings and Federal highways.
The utmost priority of these traffic police is your safety, and that of your fellow road users. Last week, our Traffic Operations team conducted a targeted daytime operation on Canberra's arterial roads and the outcomes were disappointing, with 261 Traffic Infringement Notices issued and four drink-drivers arrested.
This has reinforced the need for a strong police presence on our arterial roads over the Easter period. Easter will, of course, be a double demerits period so that added penalty will apply to those who speed or fail to wear a seat belt.
Plan your trip, take regular rest breaks, check the mechanical condition of your vehicle before leaving and show patience with your fellow drivers.
While police will be patrolling in numbers and enforcing the road laws, the onus falls back on everyone to use the roads responsibly and safely. If holidaying outside the territory, we want you and your family to leave and come home safely.