Easter is a popular time for people across NSW to take road trips and enjoy the holidays together. In the rush to get to holiday destinations around the State, many drivers may push their limits beyond safe driving, unfortunately putting themselves, their families and other road users at risk.
Too many lives have been lost on NSW roads; 392 people died in crashes in 2017, and the number of lives lost so far in 2018 has already increased compared to 2017. The two biggest risk behaviours on our roads are driver fatigue and speeding.
With this in mind, here are some tips in the lead-up to, and during the Easter holidays.
Driver Fatigue
- Get a good night’s sleep before heading out on your road trip.
- Avoid driving after midnight, as this is when your body wants to go to sleep.
- Don’t race your GPS, plan to take regular rest breaks, stretch your legs and stay hydrated.
- Arrange to share the driving.
- If you are feeling tired, pull over to a safe place, and take a nap, 20 minutes works best.
- Plan to take regular breaks - stop off at a Driver Reviver or Free Cuppa for the Driver location.
Speed
- Speed is the biggest killer on NSW roads contributing to about 40 per cent of road fatalities.
- When the unexpected happens on the road - the speed that you're travelling at matters - slow down to reduce the risk and severity of a crash or serious injury.
- 'Just a bit over' can be the difference between being able to stop in time or not at all.
- Stay under the speed limit these Easter holidays and drive to conditions.
Double Demerits
- Double demerits apply this Easter from 00.01am Thursday 29 March to 11:59pm on Monday 2 April 2018.
- Double demerits apply for speeding, occupant restraint (seatbelt), motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.
- Double demerits means double the consequences in terms of demerit points.
- More police will be on the roads across NSW as part of Operation Tortoise – think twice before doing the wrong thing this Easter.
Happy holiday!
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