While it’s great to catch up with family and friends at this time of the year, it’s more important that you make it to your destination safely.

Already over the past week traffic volumes in the Shoalhaven, and in particularly on the Princes Highway, have increased dramatically.

We all know the Princes Highway, especially south of Nowra, can be an unforgiving beast. Last year’s horrific road toll, seven deaths between Boxing Day and the New Year, demonstrated that.

The tragic events prompted South Coast Register’s campaign to FIX IT NOW. Calling on all governments to get involved to upgrade the highway.

For years there has been calls to fix the highway south of Nowra, all the way to the Victorian border.

In the northern Shoalhaven multi-million dollar highway upgrades have made travelling a pleasant and easier experience. All agree, it’s now time for that to happen further south – let’s have dual lanes all the way to the border.

It was something that wasn’t lost on Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack during his visit to the area earlier in the week. Mr McCormack toured the Princes Highway with South Coast Register editor John Hanscombe and Bay Post editor Kerrie O’Connor, taking in many of the tragic sites where fatal accidents have occurred.

But in the meantime, we have the highway we have –  and as the old catch cry goes, we have to ‘drive to survive’.

Please – we plead with you, like all emergency services do every year, every holiday period for that matter –  take care on the roads. Like our gallant emergency service personnel from police, ambulance, fire and rescue, rural fire services through to the local hospital emergency doctors and staff we don’t want to see or have to report fatalities over this festive season.

Does it matter if you are a few minutes later in getting to your destination? Does it really matter if you are stuck in traffic, as frustrating as that can be?

NO – that’s the simple answer.

For you and your loved ones it is much better and more important that you get to your final destination safely.

So over this Christmas New Year period, drive to conditions, don’t take risks, certainly don’t drink and drive or take drugs. If you are tired, pull over and take a break. Above all else remember there rarely are any second chances when you are involved in a serious accident.

And, of course, remember the boys and girls in blue will be out in force. Double demerits apply. There will be no second chances or warnings and so their shouldn’t be either. We all know and should obey the rules.

Have a merry but safe Christmas and New Year.