The police operation over this holiday period was named Operation Safe Arrival.
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Unfortunately for far too many over this Christmas period it has been far from a safe arrival.
Across the state, the news has been dominated by those who have lost their lives on our roads.
Boxing Day, 2017, saw a tragedy of horrific proportions on the South Coast.
That tragedy added to the carnage that has already been widespread on NSW roads this holiday period.
Already this year more than 380 people have died on NSW roads.
That is a terrifying statistic to consider. Times that by the number of people who have been badly injured on our roads. Times that by the number of families and love ones who have had their worlds shattered in a heartbeat.
Even before the the tragic events of Boxing Day, NSW Police were preparing to issue another stern warning after a horrid holiday period.
Even before then there were 13 people dead in an 11-day holiday period. More than one a day for the festive season in our state alone. That’s a lot of empty seats around Christmas dinner tables.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corby, Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, described the road toll as “appalling”.
"NSW residents need to take some responsibility and realise that all it takes is one distraction and you could lose your life or kill a family travelling on the roads this holiday period,” he said.
"It is a time to be merry and enjoy spending time with your family and unfortunately day after day, police are left to pick up the pieces and deliver horrific messages to families."
Clearly people are not learning the lesson.
Police have issued thousands of infringement notices during Operation Safe Arrival.
As of Christmas Day, police issued almost 12,400 speeding tickets, charged 710 people with drink-driving and attended 999 major crashes.
Please people, heed the warnings.
If you are travelling on the roads this holiday season please take some extra time and care.
Don’t let you or your loved ones become a statistic.
Please drive carefully and make sure you are a safe arrival.
