POLICE on both sides of the border are cranking up their seasonal presence on the roads.
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Victoria’s Operation Crossroads starts on Sunday and runs until January 3 while NSW’s Operation Safe Arrival started at midnight last night and continues to January 4.
Sgt Matt Zemaitis, of Albury highway patrol, said he had been to several nasty crashes during the Christmas period and Operation Safe Arrival was about making sure they did not happen again.
“It’s to ensure people have a good Christmas with their family and we don’t want it ruined by a tragic accident,” Sgt Zemaitis said.
“I’ve been to nasty accidents in that time. It has a significant impact not only on families of people involved but all emergency services who attend those scenes.”
Sgt Zemaitis said Albury would have more police on the roads checking speed and targeting people not wearing seatbelts, using mobile phones, and drink- and drug-drivers.
Motorcyclists not wearing a helmet or not wearing it correctly will be on the police’s target list.
More drivers were on the roads at Christmas and people should plan ahead if making a trip.
“Plan regular breaks and watch your speed and drive to the road conditions,” Sgt Zemaitis said.
Over the border, Operation Crossroads focuses on “high-risk” factors associated with holiday driving during Christmas.
It’s part of a roll-out of four operations under the Summer Stay campaign where, over 52 days, police go all out to reduce road accidents.