Easter time is such a good time to spend with family and friends, especially in the Illawarra. The forecast is for fine and warm weather and there are plenty of things to do across our region.
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However, we also know it is time to be careful, whether that be on our beaches or the roads. NSW Police will be out in force targeting all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle/helmet offences, which will attract double demerit points.
Operation Tortoise, the state's Easter long-weekend road safety operation, will start at 12.01am on Thursday and will run until 11.59am on Monday.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said with the Easter and Anzac Day holidays so close together more cars were expected on the road.
"Driving when you are tired compromises your judgement and leaves you more at risk of being involved in a crash which could be deadly, that's why it is so important to take a rest break from driving every couple of hours," he said.
"We want motorists to take to the road responsibly and safely and remember any road they travel on there is a good chance police will be there too."
Easter is a also a notoriously high-risk holiday for drownings and with good weather forecast, surf lifesavers are on standby. Over the last three seasons, NSW has averaged a coastal drowning every 8.9 days. During the Easter long weekend this spikes to a drowning every two days. If you are hitting the beach these holidays, please _
- Always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags, for your nearest patrolled beach check the BeachSafe app or website
- Read the safety signs for information about the beach and ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety information
- Always swim with someone else so you can look out for each other, and always supervise children around the water
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- If you need help in the water, stay calm and attract attention by raising one arm
- In an emergency, dial Triple Zero Police
