Double demerits will be in effect from Friday after more than 1500 speeding infringements were issued in the region during the Easter police road operation. Police will have a high-visibility presence across the state during Operation Anzac Day 2026 from 12.01am Friday, April 24 to 11.59pm Monday, April 27.
A double demerits period targeting speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet offences will be in place for the same time period. There have been 108 lives lost on NSW roads this year, which is five more than the same time last year. This includes two fatalities in the Northern Region during the Easter double demerit period.
Between April 2 and April 6, there were 4269 infringements issued to drivers in the region, including 1527 speeding fines, 85 drink driving charges, 259 positive drug-driving tests and 68 mobile phone offences.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said police would be out in force this long weekend and they would be targeting the behaviours we know put lives at risk on our roads. "This is a high-visibility operation, and drivers can expect to see police on highways, in regional areas and across our metropolitan road network," Minister Catley said.
"There is no excuse for speeding, using your mobile phone, or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt. These are not just offences, they are choices - and they could cost you your life. If you make the wrong decision behind the wheel, you will be caught and you will face the consequences. Double demerits are there to deter risky behaviour and encourage safer driving when our roads are at their busiest."
Traffic and Highway Patrol commander acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King said every driver had a responsibility to make safe choices. "We are seeing far too many lives lost on our roads, and every one of those deaths is a tragedy that didn't need to happen," acting Assistant Commissioner King said. "Our message this long weekend is simple: slow down and pay attention when driving. This operation isn't about issuing tickets. It's about stopping dangerous behaviour before it ends in a fatal crash. If we can prevent even one family from receiving a knock on the door, it's worth every resource we put into it."
