News - Bega Merimbula Eden Bermagui Tathra Pambula

Police are advising motorists in southern NSW they’ll be out in force this holiday season to prevent the region’s road toll climbing further.

‘Operation Safe Arrival’ - the annual Christmas/New Year traffic enforcement campaign - commences at 0001hrs on Friday (18 December) with double demerits in effect for all speeding and seatbelt offences.

The annual NSW road toll stands at 441 – 95 more than for the same period in 2008. So far in 2009, 91 people have been killed on southern region roads – one fewer than last year.

Goulburn Local Area Command has recorded (17) deaths, followed by Griffith (16), Albury, Cootamundra and Shoalhaven (eight), and Deniliquin, Far South Coast and Wagga Wagga (six).

Traffic Services Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said motorists intent on doing the wrong thing will be caught and have the book thrown at them.

“There’ve 91 people killed on southern NSW roads – that’s 91 too many,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said. “We’ll be doing everything we can to prevent that figure rising but it’s also up to motorists to demonstrate some personal responsibility and realise their actions could result in the death of them or someone else.”

“Motorists who want to do the wrong thing will be caught and will feel the full force of the law,” he said.

Heavy traffic is expected on the region’s major thoroughfares - including the F6 between Sydney and Wollongong, the Barton, Hume, Kings, Monaro, Princes and Snowy Mountains Highways, and Burley Griffin Way - as tens of thousands of people travel to and from popular holiday spots.

Operation Safe Arrival concludes in early January.