Helicopters, marked and undercover police cars will be used to saturate the Hunter’s roads in a new operation launched on Wednesday.
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There have been 29 road fatalities this year in the Hunter Region, 13 more than the previous year.
Operation Silverstone targets speeding and irresponsible drivers across the state, but its focus will be the Hunter.
“Unlike the legendary Silverstone racing circuit, our roads should not be used as race tracks,” northern region traffic tactician for the traffic and highway patrol command Chief Inspector Trent Le-Merton said.
“We have had several multiple fatalities, many have been P-plate drivers.”
Marked cars will be out in force at known speeding locations, including the New England Highway.
As part of the covert side of the operation unmarked police cars will also be out on the roads.
PolAir will also be involved to target motorcycle routes, using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to photograph riders breaking the rules, or to radio to unmarked cars on the ground.
This year there have been 41 motorcycle fatalities on the state’s roads, including two this month on the Putty Road.
“We have an ageing population of motorcycle riders,” Chief Inspector Le-Merton said.
“They are not driving at the appropriate speeds for the roads they are on. It is riding season and there will be more motorcycles on the roads.”
Operation Silverstone will continue for four months and will also feature in a social media campaign.
The campaign will focus on educating people to drive to the road conditions.
“At 60km/h, you will have travelled 25 metres in that 1.5 second before you even start to brake,” Chief Inspector Le-Merton said. “Drivers and riders who are tired, distracted or impaired by alcohol or drugs can take longer to react.
“Driving or riding at a speed that reduces the time you have to react to unexpected hazards will increase your risk of a crash.”
The awful reality
Some of the 29 fatal road accidents in the Hunter this year:
On April 22, two people lost their lives in a two-vehicle crash near Singleton. About 3.20pm, officers attached to Hunter Valley local area command were called to the New England Highway at Rixs Creek.
On May 2, a 16-year-old from Rutherford and an 18-year-old from Branxton had their lives cut tragically short after a car crash at Singleton on the Golden Highway.
On May 21, a 23-year-old woman died in a three-car accident at Black Hill. The crash occurred just after 4.20pm on John Renshaw Drive, between the M1 and Black Hill Road.
About 3.15pm on July 31, a tabletop truck and a motorcycle collided on Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown. The motorcycle rider died at the scene.
About 2.30pm on August 16, a motorcyclist travelling along the Putty Road at Milbrodale left the road and crashed. The rider, a male in his 50s, died at the scene.
About 9.30am on August 16, a vehicle travelling along Cessnock Road, Freemans Waterhole, left the road and crashed into a tree. The driver, a 31-year-old man, died at the scene.
