NSW Police say the Labour Day long weekend road safety operation has now concluded, with four lives lost on NW roads, a tragic reminder that the decisions behind the wheel can have devastating consequences.
Operation Labour Day 2026 commenced at 12.01am on Friday 2 October 2026 and concluded at 11.59pm yesterday (Monday 5 October 2026).
The high-visibility operation saw police across the state targeting drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phone use, speeding and seat belt and helmet offences, with double demerits in place for the duration of the four-day operation.
Across the state, police issued 9,136 traffic infringement notices, including 3234 for speed-related offences, 345 for mobile phone usage, and 130 for seatbelt or helmet-related offences.
Police conducted more than 211,474 breath tests, with 270 drink driving offences detected, and conducted 6180 drug tests with 812 drug driving offences detected, with 279 major crashes reported.
Road toll continues to climb
Since Thursday 1 January 2026, 265 people have lost their lives on NSW roads, including the four people not returning home to their families after losing their lives this long weekend.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley, said the figures show that too many drivers are taking risks on the road. ‘Last week we warned that split second decisions could have deadly consequences.
‘We’ve seen too many people killed and too many injured on the roads this weekend. It is tragic and, in most cases, totally avoidable.
‘While double demerits are no longer in effect the message remains the same: slow down, drive to the conditions and obey the law. Police are on the road 365 days of the year because we all want the same thing – for everyone to arrive safely.’
Shared responsibility
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver APM, said every life lost was a stark reminder that road safety is a shared responsibility.
‘The tragic reality is that despite warnings, enforcement activity and education campaigns, people are still choosing to engage in dangerous behaviour on our roads,’ Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
‘Every fatality represents a family whose lives have been changed forever. Every serious crash leaves a lasting impact on victims, loved ones, first responders and communities.
‘There is no excuse for driving after taking drugs, drinking alcohol, speeding, or getting behind the wheel when you are too tired to drive safely. These are choices, and they are choices that can have fatal consequences.’
Double offence in Tweed
At about 9.10pm on Friday 2 October 2026, Tweed/Byron Highway Patrol officers were conducting stationary roadside breath tests in the Banora Point area when the driver of a 4WD allegedly failed to stop. Officers stopped the vehicle a short time later on Pioneer Road where the driver – a 55-year-old man – underwent mandatory testing, allegedly returning a result of 0.129.
The man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for drive with middle-range PCA to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court, Monday 2 November 2026. About 10.20pm on Friday 2 October 2026, police observed the same vehicle travelling on the M1 at Tweed Heads South. The same driver stopped as directed and was subjected to mandatory testing, allegedly returning a result of 0.114.
The man was issued a second Court Attendance Notice for drive with middle-range PCA to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court, Monday 2 November 2026. The man’s licence was also suspended.
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