WHILE the NSW Government has suspended the traditional October long weekend double demerit, don't expect to see less police on the roads.
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That's the message from Officer in Charge of Nowra Police Station, Inspector Ray Stynes.
In fact, Inspector Stynes said local Traffic and Highway Patrol and general duties police throughout the Southern Region, which take sin the South Coast District, would be carrying out operations "as normal".
"Our regular enforcements will still go ahead regardless," he said.
"There will be extra police on the roads - all our operations will still be going ahead.
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"Simply, if you do the wrong thing you will get caught, regardless of double demerits being in place or not."
Inspector Stynes reminded and appealed to drivers to concentrate on the roadway.
"Please concentrate on what you are doing. Don't become a statistic," he said.
Simply, if you do the wrong thing you will get caught, regardless of double demerits being in place or not.
- Officer in Charge of Nowra Police Station, Inspector Ray Stynes.
Although with most of the state unable to travel it is anticipated traffic volumes, especially on the South Coast will be far less than usual.
But police will be out in force, and not just on highways, they will also be on backroads and local roads.
It is the first time since the road toll operation was introduced in NSW in 1997 that double demerits will not be in place for the October long weekend.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward said it made sense to remove the double demerits that traditionally were imposed on long weekends, as "most of the is state unable to travel".
"This is in no way a green light for drivers to break the rules and it doesn't mean you won't get fined if you do the wrong thing," he said.
"This is more about giving people a break after a long, tough year with COVID lockdown and restrictions."
The next double demerit period is scheduled to start during the summer holidays, from December 24, 2021 to January 3, 2022 inclusive.