STRATEGIES to tackle the state’s escalating road toll were among the matters discussed at the NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Group Leadership Meeting held in Bathurst this week.
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With representatives from all branches of highway and traffic control attending, including the crash unit and drug unit, the meeting also provided police the opportunity to discuss things like policy and legislation changes.
The meetings are held on a monthly basis, and it’s the second time one has been held in the Western Region, last time the meeting was in the region, it was at Mudgee.
Bathurst hosted the meeting at Rydges, Mt Panorama.
Inspector Peter McMenamin, Regional Traffic Tactician for the Western Regional said the meetings were not only a chance to keep abreast of changing legislation and policy, it was also an opportunity to talk about the government’s road safety strategy, a primary focus for all Traffic and Highway Patrol officers, as the road toll continues to escalate.
So far, state wide, 93 have been killed on our state’s roads this year compared to 68 for the same period last year.
Similarly, the Western Region’s road toll is 10 higher then it was for this time last year.
Among the discussions raised on Monday is the approaching Easter long weekend operation.
“We are leading into [Operation] Tortoise, which was a big focus of the meeting,” Inspector McMenamin said.
“People can expect to see high visibility policing, and we will be bringing additional resources from metropolitan commands into the Western Region, to increase our profile even more,” he said, adding it will be a case of all hands on deck.
Double demerits are also kicking in statewide from Thursday, March 29 through to April 2.
“Police will be targeting speeding, seat belt offences, mobile phone use and drink and drug driving.
“We will also be targeting fatigue and other distractions which put all road users at risk,” Inspector McMenamin said.
“Our goal this Easter long weekend is to get everyone home safely.
“We don’t want any lives lost,” he said.