Operation Chrome

THE June long weekend is a danger period that police are targeting when it comes to driver behaviour on western region roads.

Operation Chrome has just concluded, a two-day blitz which saw funding from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) used to deploy 50 extra police on traffic duties on overtime shifts.

The operation utilised police from all districts within the Western region, working alongside officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command.

Police targeted poor driving behaviours on rural roads – including speeding, drink and drug-driving, not wearing seatbelts, using a mobile phone behind the wheel, and fatigue.

These police came from across the force rather than just highway patrol and, according to western region commander Geoff Mckechnie, it was a great template to get more cops on the roads.

The long weekend will see a much higher focus on roads that normally aren’t targeted, those feeder roads leading to major arterial roads.

“We are amazed by the number of people who are struggling to get even the basics of road safety correct, such as not drinking and driving,” Assistant Commissioner Mckechnie said.

Inspector Jason Bush, Western Region Traffic Tactician, said that if everyone does their part, the roads will be a safer place.

“Sadly, we have already lost 33 lives on Western NSW roads this year – most crashes happen in rural and regional areas, which is why you will see us in numbers this long weekend,” inspector Bush said.

“We make no apologies for taking licences away from anyone who puts themselves and other road users at risk through dangerous driving behaviours.”