Each year the chiefs of NSW Police give us a wrap up of just how deadly our roads have been during the holiday season.
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And every year the message is the same – people just won’t learn.
This year it saddens us to say seven people lost their lives on NSW roads during Operation Safe Arrival.
There’s nothing good to be said about that – except that the death toll this year was 21 less than last year.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said a highly-visible police presence in country areas was key to fewer lives being lost on NSW roads.
He said highway patrol officers worked closely with local general duties police to maintain a presence on feeder roads including the Princes Highway.
“At the start of Operation Safe Arrival, we heard from a courageous woman who lost four members of her family in a horrific crash on the South Coast on Boxing Day 2017,” he said.
“For her and her family, no holiday or family event will ever be the same. This is horrific reality which changes a family.
“Every time we take control of a vehicle we should remember how our actions could impact others,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
As we said, one life lost is one too many, so its important to highlight what police still have their biggest concern about.
The number of young male provisional licence holders who were detected travelling more than 45km/h above the speed limit during Safe Arrival was a major issue.
And the closing days of the operation were highlighted by some extraordinarily bad choices made by drivers.
“Some of the decisions made by drivers in NSW have left even the most seasoned highway patrol officers flabbergasted,” Mr Corboy said.
“We had situations where inexperienced drivers were detected at almost double the speed limit, others where infants were not properly restrained – what does it take to get the message through?” he said.
That’s the 20-million dollar question.