RACEGOERS who attempt to take excess alcohol onto Mount Panorama have been warned there will be no second chances this year.
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In previous years, people caught trying to exceed the alcohol limit had their drinks confiscated by police but were able to get them back at the end of the event.
But this year that will not happen.
Western Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie yesterday warned racegoers that police would be in Bathurst in similar numbers to last year.
He said police would be enforcing the responsible use of alcohol and would be manning every entry point, examining vehicles as they pass through the gate.
He warned that police expect racegoers “to play by the rules”.
Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said there would be no “cloaking” facilities for alcohol.
Those that turned up with more than the allocated quota of alcohol would have to decide what to do with it, he said, but it would not be allowed past the checkpoints.
He said police had abandoned the “cloaking” for a number of reasons.
“It is a security issue and alcohol restrictions have been in place for five years. If people haven’t gotten the message yet, something is wrong,” he said.
The finer details of this year’s Bathurst 1000 police operation will be revealed today, with Assistant Commissioner McKechnie indicating it will be similar to previous years.
A high visibility police operation also began this morning and will continue until Sunday.
“Police are expecting more than 200,000 visitors to Bathurst this weekend, so we’re urging all motorists to be extremely vigilant with their speed, fatigue and driving behaviour,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
“Racegoers need to exercise patience, allow extra travel time, and expect delays, particularly on the Great Western Highway and Bells Line of Road, to accommodate the significant increase of traffic in the area.
“While crowd behaviour at the Bathurst 1000 has improved greatly in recent years, we’re continuing to see some motorists ignoring the road rules and risking their safety, and the safety of other road users, as a result.
“I’d like to remind all motorists to leave the racing to the professionals and start the weekend off on a good note, allow for changes to traffic conditions and be considerate of other drivers.
“Traffic and highway patrol officers will also be out in force, conducting random drug and alcohol tests and targeting unsafe driver behaviour, to make sure everyone arrives at their destination safely.”
