Police call for a tragedy free Australia Day weekend

There have been three fatalities in the Cootamundra Area Command since the new year, including two near Young. 

Operation Safe Return, the long weekend road safety enforcement campaign, started at 12.01am today and wraps up at 11.59pm on Monday.

Cootamundra Highway Patrol Sergeant Chris Upton said local police were out to ensure the road toll didn’t climb. 

“We’ll be out to continue to get across our road safety message, especially focussing on speeding, restraints and motorcycle helmets,” he said. 

“There’s going to be a lot of congestion on our roadways so it’s also important to make sure that we’re stopping for our rest breaks to counter fatigue.”

Double demerits will be in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.

Statewide, 12 people have been killed in fatal crashes since last Wednesday, and 24 people already killed on our roads this year.

“Operation Safe Return is a maximum enforcement period involving Highway Patrol officers assisted by general duties police throughout the state,” acting assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said.

“We can expect to carry out upwards of 200,000 breath tests over the four days and the campaign is supported by double demerits.

Last Australia Day long weekend, three people were killed in separate crashes in rural NSW.