This Easter holiday period, ACT Policing will join forces with NSW Police in support of Operation Crossroads, a coordinated road safety initiative to reduce road trauma across Australia and New Zealand.
The efforts by ACT Policing and NSW Police will mirror those of police throughout Australia in a national road safety campaign against dangerous driving coordinated by the national police agency, ANZPAA (Australia New Zealand Police Advisory Agency).
ACT Policing Superintendent Ben Cartwright said that coordination across borders was paramount in ensuring road safety over the holiday period.
“Many drivers cross the ACT and NSW border over the Easter period and we’ll be working alongside NSW Police to target dangerous driving behavior on our roads,” Superintendent Cartwright said.
“The holiday period provides an opportunity for families and friends to come together. It’s far more important to arrive at your destination safely than to speed or ignore the road rules and end up spending your holidays in hospital.”
ACT Policing in co-operation with NSW Police will conduct high-visibility patrols on major arterial roads targeting driving behavior that contributes to serious and fatal collisions.
“Police will target impaired driving, speeding, fatigue, driver distraction and seatbelts in an effort to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads,” Superintendent Cartwright said.
The widespread use of random breath testing and roadside drug-testing, as well as laser detection of speeding drivers, and close attention to unsafe or inattentive driving will form part of ACT Policing’s road safety strategy during Operation Crossroads.
Operation Crossroads coincides with double demerits for speeding and seatbelt offences, with an extra point for all other traffic offences, from Thursday 17 to Monday 21 April, 2014.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, has urged all Canberrans to be patient and take care on the roads this Easter and Anzac Day holiday period.
“The Easter and Anzac Day holiday period for 2014 is a longer break than most weekends, so the opportunity to travel farther means that fatigue and fatigue-related crashes are a greater risk,” Mr Corbell said.
“Rest breaks are a simple way to fight fatigue, so please stop, revive and survive every two hours.”
Australian Federal Police will be targeting speeding and other offences, with double demerit points applying this Easter and Anzac Day holiday period for speeding and seat belt offences.
“Double demerit points for the Easter period will apply from Thursday, 17 April, to Monday, 21 April, inclusive and for the Anzac Day period from Thursday, 24 April, until Sunday, 27 April, inclusive.
“Six demerit points can be applied to the licence of any driver who does not wear a seatbelt or who permits passengers under 16 years of age to travel in a vehicle unrestrained.
“If drivers exceed the speed limit this Easter period by more than 15km/h and up to 30km/h, 6 demerit points will be applied, while exceeding the speed limit by 45 km/h or more will result in 12 demerit points being applied and the risk of licence suspension.”
In addition, drivers who commit other offences, such as running red lights or failing to stop at stop signs, will receive one extra demerit point on top of the usual number applied.
“Road safety is always important, but at times such as this, when many more people are on the road, we should pay extra attention to driving safely. Don’t let fatigue or reckless driving ruin the Easter or Anzac Day holiday period for yourself or others.
“For those who intend to celebrate Anzac Day with a few drinks, plan your transport home before the celebration, arrange for a designated driver or take a taxi.
“Pay attention to the driving conditions, slow down and don’t drink and drive.”
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