New South Wales police have launched a desperate appeal for road safety following a horrific week that claimed six lives across the Hunter and Central Coast regions, casting a shadow over the festive season.
Police Plea as Holiday Period Begins
The NSW Police Force's Operation Christmas/New Year is now active statewide, with double demerit points coming into effect from Wednesday, December 24. The enforcement blitz coincides with what authorities fear will be a deadly peak in holiday travel.
Acting Inspector Brendan Gregory from Newcastle Hunter highway patrol said the recent spate of deaths was a devastating prelude to the holidays. "So many of these road deaths are entirely preventable," he stated, emphasising that the community had already witnessed far too much loss this year.
With the public school term ending on Friday, December 19, police are bracing for a significant increase in traffic volumes from the weekend onwards. Inspector Gregory urged every motorist to take personal responsibility.
"Stick to the speed limit, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving, and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol," he implored. He confirmed that highway patrol officers would be out in force to monitor behaviour, but stressed that safety ultimately depended on driver decisions.
A Week of Tragic Incidents
The grim tally of six deaths unfolded across several separate and shocking incidents:
On Wednesday, December 17, a 33-year-old motorbike rider died in an ambulance en route to hospital following a collision with a four-wheel-drive at Windale.
Just two days earlier, on Monday night, Port Stephens police discovered a crashed vehicle on The Bucketts Way near Clarence Town. They found a 36-year-old man on the roadside and a 35-year-old woman inside the car, who could not be revived.
The tragedy struck doubly on Sunday, December 14, when two women lost their lives on the Pacific Highway near Wadalba on the Central Coast. The women were returning home from a Lady Gaga concert when another vehicle allegedly crossed onto the wrong side of the road.
That same morning, a 42-year-old cyclist succumbed to his injuries in hospital after an alleged hit-and-run in Lake Macquarie. Around the same time, emergency services were called to Wyong Creek on the Central Coast, where a Nissan ute had left the road, killing the 45-year-old male driver.
Heavy Traffic and Delays Expected
Transport for NSW has warned travellers to prepare for major delays over the coming weeks. The busiest periods are predicted around Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and the first two days of January.
Authorities have pinpointed known congestion hotspots, including the Pacific Highway at Hexham. They forecast northbound traffic to peak on December 27 and 28, with delays of up to 30 minutes. Southbound travel is expected to be heaviest on January 2, 9, and 16, with potential delays stretching to 45 minutes.
Inspector Gregory reiterated the human cost behind the statistics. "We've seen far too many lives lost on our roads this year and want to ensure no one loses a loved one this Christmas," he said. "Each fatality and serious crash is one too many."
Drivers are strongly encouraged to plan their journeys, allow extra time, and check the Live Traffic NSW app for real-time updates, especially with the added summer risk of bushfires affecting road conditions.
