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Double-demerit points to apply in NSW through to Sunday

Police arrested a man in Moama on Tuesday, July 20. Photo by AAP

Police are encouraging road users to take care while travelling on NSW roads, ahead of the National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty the Queen and the start of the September school holidays.

Double-demerit points will apply from 12.01am on Wednesday, September 21, and run until 11.59pm on Sunday, September 25, for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.

Additional police will be deployed across the state as they patrol metropolitan and regional areas, also targeting other high-risk driver behaviour, including drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said police are expecting roads to be busy over the coming days with people taking advantage of the public holiday travelling across NSW.

“As always, our focus remains the safety of the community across the state, and we want everyone to reach their destinations safely and without tragedy,” Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said.

“Our message is to take your time, drive to the weather conditions and respect other road users.”

Motorists are reminded that school zones will still be in operation and 40km/h zones will be in effect — as usual — between 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm.

Double-demerit points will also apply to motorists detected breaching the speed limits and illegally using mobile phones in school zones.

Police will also be targeting double-parking or stopping and/or parking in designated no stopping or no parking areas.

So far this year, 214 people have died in crashes on NSW roads — 152 of those in regional areas. For the same period last year, 187 people died in crashes in NSW — 132 of those in regional areas.