If you were thinking of having a couple of drinks after work this evening, and then driving home, you may want to think again.
Police are today commencing an operation focused around the 10 most dangerous local area commands for motor vehicle accidents in the state.
On the north coast, Richmond and Tweed/Byron are on the list, together with Coffs/Clarence, Mid North Coast, Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes.
In the last 12 months there have been 12 fatal crashes in the Richmond LAC region and nine in Tweed/Byron. Coffs/Clarence LAC experienced 11 crashes.
Already a mother and daughter have been killed in a crash in Murwillumbah since New Year.
Operation Saturation has been funded by the NSW Centre for Road Safety and will include the entire traffic and highway patrol fleet, assisted by local police, in high-visibility patrols on NSW roads.
The operation will continue for a fortnight.
Police will be cracking down on speeding, drink or drug driving, failing to wear seat belts or correct helmets and use of mobile phones while driving.
In our region they will target the Pacific and Bruxner highways, Summerland Way, Tweed Valley Way, Bangalow Rd and The Coast Rd.
Earlier this week roads minister Duncan Gay issued a blunt warning.
‘If I have to, I will also downgrade or suspend the licences of drivers who recklessly cause damage or disrupt other road users,’ Mr Gay said.
‘I’m not in the mood for anyone messing around, this year I want to bring our road toll down lower than it’s ever been and if you even think about risking other people’s lives, I will come down on you like a tonne of bricks,’ he added.
Mr Gay says more inspections and patrols will be carried out during 2015 and there would be a greater a focus on heavy vehicle speeding and maintenance.
Why dont they also target the truck drivers – there have been numerous occasions of truckies tailgating my son who is on L-plates. The truckies are pelting through the road restrictions, passing when it is unsafe. This also needs to be addressed as it has also caused deaths and major injuries. It is scary driving between Ballina & Byron Bay at night. I’m sitting on 80km (roadwork speed limit) – the trucks over take and disappear on the horizon – they definitely do not sit on the speed limit. There is definitely not much police presence on this stretch of road. I’m yet to see a Policeman pull up a truck for speeding or driving dangerously.
Can we please also include jay-walking, incorrect use of pedestrian crossings, bicycles with no lights or reflectors being ridden by people in dark clothing, and non-use of indicators, and driving more than 30kph UNDER the speed limit?!!!!