Police are urging motorists to slow down and take care on regional roads as they launch a four-day operation targeting rural road trauma across Western Region.
Operation Trance will commence in the North West Region Traffic and Highway Patrol Command tomorrow (Thursday 4 February 2021) until Monday (8 February 2021).
Western Region Highway Patrol resources will be assisted by their Metropolitan counterparts as they saturate major roadways and backroads around townships in Western Region.
Officers will be conducting random breath and drug testing across the four days as the high-visibility police operation targets unsafe driving behaviour in and around regional outlets.
North West Region Traffic Coordinator, Sergeant Kelly Wixx, said road trauma has a significant impact on communities across Western Region, with two thirds of all fatalities occurring in rural areas in NSW.
"This operation is not just a targeted traffic operation but a high-saturation crime prevention and disruption strategy," Sgt Wixx said.
"We are using our specialist skills in traffic enforcement to detect and prosecute high risk offenders on our roads, but we are an additional policing resource focused on ensuring all offenders are being targeted and prosecuted across all crime categories to make our rural communities safer."
Sgt Wixx said that 44 motorists died on regional NSW roads last year, an alarming figure which she hopes to see reduce this year through initiatives such as Operation Trance.
"Having a high visibility presence on our roads provides an immediate check for drivers to moderate their behaviour and comply with the road rules; we want people to get where they need to be safely," Sgt Wixx said.
Sgt Wixx said motorists need to take responsibility when in control of vehicles, comply with road rules and be alert and aware in order to make good decisions.
"This means showing patience with other drivers, staying off your phone and ensuring everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt," she said.
"We all share the road, so we are all responsible for safety and compliance."
