Police have issued a stern warning for the Australia Day long weekend: "too many lives are lost on our roads because of poor decisions".
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NSW Police will be focused on preventing and detecting speeding and alcohol-affected drivers during the long weekend.
Double demerits are in place from Friday, January 23 to Monday, January 26 targeting speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences.
The high-visibility police operation involves officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of general duties and specialist police from all police commands and districts across the state.
Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Paul Scully said too many families had their lives shattered by dangerous driving.
"This long weekend, police will be out in force to keep people safe on our roads," Mr Scully said.
"Double demerits are in place, and enforcement will be highly visible. Speeding, drink or drug driving, using your phone or not wearing a seatbelt are choices that can cost lives.
"If you're travelling this long weekend, plan ahead, be patient, drive to the conditions and don't drive fatigued."
"The goal of this operation is simple. We want everyone to get where they're going safely and return home to their loved ones."
Newcastle Highway Patrol chief inspector Tom Barnes said, after a busy holiday period over Christmas and the New Year, police were urging travellers to be safe and to abide by the rules.
"The vast majority of the travelling public was very good over the Christmas-New Year period," Chief inspector Barnes said. "But we're still seeing instances of poor driver behaviour and, unfortunately as a result, people being killed and seriously injured on our roads."
He said Hunter region officers would be particularly vigilant for speeding offences and driver fatigue as residents plan their travels over the long weekend.
Officers would be out in force as well, he said, on the streets and beaches to keep the peace, with patrols also looking out for illegal e-bike offences.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, said the operation was about preventing tragedy.
"One moment of inattention can have lifelong consequences," Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
"Our message is that if you are travelling on our roads this weekend then we want everyone to reach their destination safely.
"Too many lives are lost on our roads because of poor decisions.
"If you plan on drinking, then have a plan B and don't drive. Even speeding a couple of kilometres over the speed limit increases the risk of crashing so don't do it.
Transport for NSW Executive Director for Transport Safety, Chadi Chalhoub said every person on the road has a role to play in keeping themselves and others safe.
"NSW ended 2025 with an unacceptably high 355 lives lost on our roads, most on regional roads, with speed a key factor in fatal crashes," Mr Chalhoub said.
"With people travelling at the end of the summer break and ahead of the school term, drivers and riders are urged to slow down and drive to the conditions.
"As families prepare for the school year, drivers are reminded that school zones return from 27 January and to be alert for children, even on pupil-free days.
"The safest journeys are the ones where everyone makes it home."
