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“After 20 years of double demerits, it seems people still don’t get it.”
That is the message from Traffic and Highway Command’s Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy on the 20th anniversary of the double demerits enforcement.
NSW Police and Ambulance NSW have appealed for drivers to take it “slow and steady” this Easter.
Operation Tortoise – the Easter long weekend traffic operation – began at 12.01am on Thursday, April 13 and conclues at 11.59pm on Monday, April 17.
Double demerits will be in force throughout the operation.
Assistant Commissioner Corboy said there have been too many lives lost on NSW roads this year.
He said many tragedies could have been avoided.
“During Operation Tortoise this Easter long-weekend, I want road users to remember to take it slow and steady, there is no race,” he said.
“We have already lost 91 lives on NSW roads this year.
“If people only slowed down, took regular breaks and avoided distractions, many of these deaths could have been avoided.”
Assistant Commisioner Corboy said the impact each death had on emergency services personnel was incredible.
“We are the ones that respond, treat people at the scene, deliver death messages to family and friends, and investigate crashes,” he said.
“The impact each death has on emergency services is incredible.
“More importantly, each death affects that person’s family and friends for the rest of their lives.”
“We are the ones that respond, treat people at the scene, deliver death messages to family and friends, and investigate crashes."
- Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy
Assistant Commissioner Corboy pleaded with everyone to work together to “stop this needless and avoidable loss of lives on NSW roads”.
“Please slow down, don’t drink or do drugs and drive, take regular breaks, wear a seatbelt, and put your phone away,” he said.
“We say these things over and over, but the truth is simple.
“These are the factors costing the lives of people on our roads.”
During Operation Tortoise, there be more police on NSW roads targeting drivers for dangerous behaviour that could lead to loss of life.
These include speeding, drink and drug-driving, mobile phone use, and not wearing seatbelts.