Operation Slow Down wraps up the Long Weekend

BY JESSICA ROUSE and IAN CROUCH

It's been a tragic long weekend on the Hunter's roads, with three lives lost.

A 57-year-old man died when his Honda Jazz crashed into a fence on Kalaroo Road at Redhead on Sunday night - police believe he suffered a medical episode prior to the crash.

Meanwhile, Blake Mins and Matt Lambert died in a firey crash at Morisset on Saturday morning.

And a woman in her 70's suffered serious injuries after she was hit by a car on Turton Road at Waratah yesterday.

Across the state, the NSW Police Force's Operation Slow Down booked just over 6,200 people for speeding and charged 215 people with drink driving. More than 188,300 were breathalysed.

14,429 people in total were issued with infringements and five people died over the long weekend.

During the same operation last year, only one person lost their life.

Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver from Traffic and Highway Patrol said even with the extra police presence out on the roads, it was quite disheartening to see drivers continue to speed or act dangerously behind the wheel.

"These deaths bring the number of lives lost on our roads this year to 290. That is 290 people who set out on a journey and didn't make it home, changing the lives of their family and friends forever."

Operation Slow Down: Hunter Police Out in Force This Weekend

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Operation Slow Down is in force this weekend from midnight tonight until 11:59pm on Monday the Hunter's roads.

Double demerits will be in place for speeding, mobile phone use behind the wheel, and motorcycle helmet offences.

Officers will be out in force in a bid to stop fatal accidents on the region's roads. This time last year, 94 drink-drivers were caught and there were 79 major crashes of which one was fatal and 11 were alcohol-related.

"People need to take responsibility for their actions and drive to the conditions especially on country roads. Speeding is the biggest contributor to fatal crashes in NSW, about 40 per cent of fatal crashes, and when you combine speeding with drinking, driving, taking drugs, distractions or tiredness all of those combined whilst driving are disastrous," said Chief Inspector Bruce McGregor.

We're being advised to allow extra travel time as well with heavy traffic expected on M1 with the upgrade between Doyalson and Tuggerah still underway, as well as on the Pacific Highway at Hexham and Raymond Terrace.

Chief Inspector McGregor says police just want all motorists to be safe on the road to give everyone the best chance of getting home in one piece.

"I'd just ask motorists to demonstrate patience, respect for other road users, be aware of things that can happen such as kangaroos or dangerous driving manoeuvres in front. Drive defensively, and plan your trip accordingly so you do have rest and sustenance."