Police operations kick-off for Australia Day long weekend

Police across the country are calling for motorists to slow down and keep safety in mind ahead of the Australia Day public holiday long weekend.

Double points will be enforced in New South Wales, while Western Australia will introduce double demerits – which did apply for Australia Day in 2023 – from Thursday 25 January until 22:59 Sunday 28 January 2024.

Queensland drivers are subject to double demerits all year, with no changes for public holiday periods.

New South Wales Police launched Operation Australia Day at 00:01 Thursday 25 January which will continue until 23:59 Sunday 28 January.

Double demerit points apply for the duration of the operation for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences, with 2300 police on duty for the operation.

“Police will be out in numbers – on the ground, in the air and on the water – as general duties officers are supported by specialist units including the Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Mounted Unit, Dog Unit and PolAir,” said a statement from New South Wales Police.

Victoria Police have launched Operation Amity which will also see greater police visibility on the state’s roads across the long weekend in an effort to reduce road trauma.

It commenced at 00:01 Thursday 25 January and will run until 23:15 Sunday 28 January.

Targeting speeding, which Victoria Police said contributed to 25 per cent of fatal collisions over the last 12 months, Operation Amity comes off the back of Victoria’s highest annual road toll in 15 years with 296 road user deaths in 2023.

“Not only is speeding the most common factor in fatal and serious injury collisions, but it continues to be the penalty we issue the most infringements for – and it’s completely avoidable,” said Victoria Police Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir.

“We’ll be focusing on the major roads and highways between Melbourne and the regional parts of the state where we know lots of people will be commuting.

“It’s going to be busy, so take it easy, be courteous to other road users, and most importantly, allow extra travel time so you aren’t speeding to reach your destination.

Nationally, the road toll increased 7.3 per cent in 2023, prompting the establishment of a road safety forum to tackle the spike in deaths.