Скачать или смотреть Police launch holiday traffic-enforcement campaign - Operation Safe Arrival

The NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command is asking for only one gift this holiday season -- no deaths on our roads.

The message comes as NSW Police launch Operation Safe Arrival, the annual Christmas/New Year traffic-enforcement campaign.

The operation will commence at 12.01am tomorrow (Friday 20 December 2013) and conclude at 11.59pm on Thursday 2 January 2014.

Double demerits will be in place between Friday 20 December 2013 and Wednesday 1 January 2014 for speeding, seatbelt and helmet offences.

Throughout the campaign, police will be out in larger numbers state-wide, targeting drink and drug driving, speeding, fatigue, seatbelt use, mobile-phone use and other types of dangerous driving.

The operation aims to reduce the incidence of death and injury during what is traditionally the busiest time of year on NSW roads.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher said accidents can happen in a split second.

"It's simply not worth taking the risk or being foolish on the roads. It's not just your life you are putting in danger, but the lives of motorists and passengers around you," Minister Gallacher said.

"As a former Highway Patrol officer, I have seen too many times the devastating aftermath of an accident. There are few greater tragedies than losing a loved one in a road accident, particularly at this time of the year," he said.

The NSW road toll for 2013 currently stands at 332.

"While this is 23 less than the same time last year, it's still too high, as one fatality is one too many," Deputy Commissioner of Police -- Specialist Operations, Catherine Burn, said.

"Just yesterday, a young boy lost his life in a traffic incident outside a school in Carlingford. This is an unfathomable tragedy, especially just one week away from Christmas.

"Over the next two weeks, during Operation Safe Arrival, police will be doing everything in our power to keep the road toll from getting any higher.

"The best and only gift Traffic and Highway Patrol officers want this year is no deaths on our roads. We urge motorists to drive responsibly and arrive safely at their destinations.

"Wherever you are travelling, you can expect to see more police on the road. We will be targeting drivers who insist on breaking the law or taking risks that endanger not only their own lives, but also their passengers' and fellow road users'," Deputy Commissioner Burn said.

Dr Jeremy Hsu, Director of Trauma at Westmead Hospital, said his team sees first-hand the devastating effects of road-related crashes on patients and their families.

"If you're involved in a high speed head-on crash, your entire body may be affected by injury and shock, and these effects can remain with you for life," Dr Hsu said.

"Patients can spend months in ICU and years enduring painful rehabilitation and recovery.

"They can also endure life-changing injuries that impact not only them, but also on their friends, family and the community.

"We urge everyone to slow down and drive safely this holiday period," Dr Hsu said.

In 2012/13, Operation Safe Arrival resulted in:

Police conducting 527,174 breath tests and charging 992 motorists with drink-driving;
Police booking 11,903 motorists for speeding;
Police catching over 1194 people not wearing seat belts;
Police issuing 17,663 infringements for other traffic offences.