Distraction and fatigue have become the key focuses for police in the Hunter and Maitland highway patrol Sergeant Damon Bugden is warning motorists not to take risks on the road this long weekend.
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Double demerit penalties are in force for speeding, seatbelt and helmet-related offences from midnight Thursday until 11.59pm on Monday.
Sgt Bugden said fatigue was a problem for motorists in the Hunter given the great distances between towns and the high rate of mining industry employees who often worked long hours, far from their homes.
"Slow down and obey the road rules, especially when you're fatigued," he said.
"It [fatigue] has taken over from alcohol as one of the major factors in road crashes.
"We go to many accidents where alcohol is not involved and there is no other explanation."
Sgt Bugden also said motorists should remove the temptation to use a mobile phone while driving by switching off the devices.
"Nothing is important enough to risk crashing," he said.
"Distraction is one of the biggest bugbears for police on the roads at the moment."
According to Transport for NSW, driving less than 10km/h over the speed limit will cost two demerit points, while going 11 to 20km/h over will mean a six point penalty during the long weekend.
Going 21 to 30km/h faster than the legal limit will cost eight points, while the 31 to 45km/h bracket will mean a 10 point penalty and a driver will lose 12 points and have their licence immediately suspended for reaching the highest bracket, for travelling more than 45km/h faster than the speed limit.
A driver not wearing a seatbelt will lose six points, while each passenger not wearing a seatbelt will cost the driver six points each.
Motorcycle riders will lose six points for not wearing a helmet and another six points for each passenger not wearing a helmet while on the road.
