Parade has been following Operation Safe Arrival quite closely since it began on December 15 and was shocked to see some of the initial police data that was released on New Year’s Eve. 

More than 1000 people per day have been detected travelling above the speed limit on NSW roads during the operation. 

That’s more than 16,000 instances of speeding. 

It’s definitely not a statistic that Parade wants to see because, to her, the key word in the statement from police is “detected”.

How many people have driven over the speed limit and just not been caught? 

When there have already been 25 deaths on NSW roads, it’s really not a time to take risks. 

Parade, along with any loved ones, would much rather hear that someone is running late than get the phone call to say there has been an accident. 

Parade hopes these numbers serve as a reminder to people to slow down and take on board all the safe driving advice police have offered. 

IT’S that time of the year again, where we look at which names were most popular for newborns. 

Parade took a look back through the birth announcements in the Western Advocate this year and found out which names were most popular. 

The most popular first names for girls were Amelia and Isabel/Isabella. 

For little boys, Mason and Levi were the top scorers. 

Parade found that there was a lot more overlap in the boys name, with 15 names appearing more than once, whereas parents chose to be more original with the names for their daughters. 

How do their choices compare with parents outside of Bathurst?

Out of the most popular baby girl names, Amelia was the only one to make it into the top 10, coming in sixth on one Australian list.

For boys, neither Mason or Levi made it into the top 10, but another popular choice in Bathurst, Henry, came in second place.