Speeding will be one of the focal points for police this Australia Day long weekend.
Have fun, enjoy the Australia Day long weekend but take care.
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As visitors and locals look forward to a long weekend, making the most of the final weekend before children head back to school, authorities are reminding all to be safe.
The high-visibility policing operations ‘Operation Australia Day’ will be running in NSW, and ‘Operation Amity’ in Victoria this long weekend.
The operations for the Australia Day long weekend run from 12.01am Friday, January 23, through until 11.59pm Monday, January 26.
In NSW, a double demerit period is in place for the same period for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said police would target speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phone use and restraint offences.
“Our message is that if you are travelling on our roads this weekend then we want everyone to reach their destination safely,” Asst Comm Driver said.
“Too many lives are lost on our roads because of poor decisions.’’
Stay safe this Australia Day long weekend.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Speeding drivers will be a major focus for Victoria Police, with excessive or inappropriate speed the highest contributing factor in fatal collisions in 2025, contributing to at least 30 per cent of fatalities.
With roads expected to be busy, police are urging motorists to avoid rushing by allowing plenty of extra travel time, and to be patient and courteous to other road users.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said police would be focusing on the major roads and highways between Melbourne and the regional parts of the state where lots of people will be commuting.
“It’s going to be busy, so take it easy, be courteous to other road users, and most importantly, allow extra travel time so you aren’t speeding to reach your destination.’’
And with the temperatures soaring into the highs 30s and low 40s, Ambulance Victoria is urging people to be careful in and around water.
Ambulance Victoria acting executive director regional operations Michael Georgiou said paramedics witnessed first-hand how quickly a fun day out could turn into a life-threatening emergency.
“Everyone is at risk of drowning — even strong swimmers and people who know an area well,” he said.
‘’Be aware of your current abilities and don’t underestimate the risks around water.
“We work closely with our emergency service partners to keep people safe, but everyone has a responsibility to look after themselves and each other.”
Amid the current bushfire emergency and increased fire risk across the Australia Day long weekend, authorities are warning people to take care around campfires.
Across last year’s Australia Day long weekend, there were 52 campfire offences detected including 33 unattended campfires across Victoria’s national parks and state forests.
Before lighting a campfire, campers must check whether a Total Fire Ban has been declared via the VicEmergency website and app.
People camping in NSW should check NSW Rural Fire Service website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman urged people to think carefully about whether a campfire was necessary.
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