Drivers from out of town are one of the biggest issues that police face during the holidays, according to one of Hunter highway patrol’s most senior officers.
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Police have renewed their road safety messages ahead of the busy holiday season and Hunter Lakes highway patrol cluster senior supervisor Senior Sergeant Rob Lawson said drivers needed to be aware of other motorists who were not used to the area.
There have been six deaths on Central Hunter roads this year, one less than in 2013, with one month of the year remaining.
There have been 305 deaths on Australian roads this year.
“Motorists travelling up from Sydney have already been on the road for one or two hours at least before they get to the middle of the Hunter,” Senior Sergeant Lawson said.
“Those drivers are beginning to become fatigued and from that comes irritability and often misjudgement.
“It’s important to realise that some travellers aren’t used to freeway conditions where you have more open roads and higher speeds.
“And Hunter locals need to understand that some out-of-area drivers will have their mind set on attending their destination, they’re booked in at 4pm at the hotel or caravan park and if they’re late or delayed they’ll do whatever it takes to get there.”
Senior Sergeant Lawson said road fatalities for Central Hunter this year were on par with the toll for 2013 and precautions needed to be taken so that number did not rise.
“The number of fatalities is certainly better than it could be,” he said.
“It’s travelling fairly consistently with last year’s number.
“Injury collisions are far higher in number and they have slowly reduced.
“That is down to a number of factors – improved road design, wire rope safety system, which you would have seen on the Hunter Expressway, and improved vehicle design with a focus on occupant safety.”
There will be an increased police presence on the area’s roads in the lead-up to the holiday season.
Double demerit points will be in force for 12 days from Wednesday, December 24, until Sunday, January 4, for speeding, seatbelt, child restraint and helmet offences.