This Easter long weekend marks the 20^th anniversary of double-demerit enforcement, and Bathurst police and paramedics have seen more than their fair share of fatalities.

From Thursday, police will be targeting motorists who are speeding, drink and drug-driving, using their mobile phone and not wearing seatbelts.

Bathurst Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Senior Constable Josh White said a lot of police resources are directed into the Easter long weekend operation.

“There will be more cops and more cars on the roads,” he said.

Already this year, 91 lives have been lost on NSW roads.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy urged motorists to take it slow and steady during Operation Tortoise this Easter long weekend.

“If people only slowed down, took regular breaks and avoided distractions, many of these deaths could have been avoided,” he said.

“The impact each death has on emergency services is incredible. We are the ones who respond, treat people at the scene, deliver death messages to family and friends, and investigate crashes.

“More importantly, each death affects that person’s family and friends for the rest of their lives.”

NSW Ambulance Assistant Commissioner Peter Payne urged all those driving this Easter break to slow down, drive to the conditions and plan ahead.

“For those planning to travel long distances or to an unfamiliar location, NSW Ambulance encourages people to download the free Emergency+ App to ensure they can readily provide our triple-0 call takers with their location in the event of an emergency, if required,” he said.

“The Emergency+ App displays the GPS co-ordinates of the phone’s location for the caller to relay to our triple-0 call taker.

“In the event of an emergency, knowing your location is crucial in ensuring we can get the right medical assistance to you when you need it, where you need it. Knowing your location could save a life.”

Double demerits were first introduced in 1997 and since then 747 deaths have occurred during the 108 holidays periods up to and including the recent Australia Day long weekend in January.

Operation Tortoise begins at 12.01am on Thursday and concludes at 11.59pm on Monday, April 17.

Double-demerits will be in force across NSW throughout the operation.