SPEEDING and driving under the influence of illicit drugs will be among the offences targeted as Illawarra police are out in force this long weekend.
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The Lake Illawarra Local Area Command and Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama councils have combined to help prevent fatalities throughout the region during the October long weekend.
Police will be targeting speed, drugs and alcohol, fatigue and use of seat belts as part of Operation Slow Down.
Double demerit points will apply from midnight Friday, October 2 to midnight Monday, October 5 inclusive.
Sergeant Nicholas Park of the Lake Illawarra Highway Patrol said this was the first long weekend headed into the summer period.
He encouraged motorists to monitor their fatigue, plan their trip and take plenty of breaks.
“Speed is a big factor in a lot of the collisions, so we’re very mindful of conducting speed enforcement,” Sergeant Park said.
“We know this weekend is a big weekend because it coincides with some sporting events.
“We certainly expect people to have a good time and enjoy themselves, but at the same time road safety is our primary concern.”
Sergeant Park said Illawarra police too often witnessed the unfortunate results of motorists who fail to heed basic road safety messages during busy holiday periods.
“I think all emergency services share the horror of attending serious and fatal motor accidents, so we all understand how important it is for people to be safe,” he said.
“Some people don’t listen to the messages… Everyone should know what the messages are, but people choose to ignore it.”
Police will also be conducting Random Breath Testing throughout the region, including an emphasis on Random Drug Testing.
“We certainly don’t believe people should be drinking and driving, but this operation will also be really focusing on the use of illicit drugs while people are driving,” Sergeant Park said.
Shellharbour City Council’s road safety officer Jenny Davies said the operation’s co-ordinated approach aimed to ensure all motorists arrived at their destination safely.
“We feel that using education with enforcement increases awareness of road safety, particularly around this time of the year on the long weekend,” she said.
