NSW Police have launched Operation Christmas/New Year, a high visibility policing operation focusing on safe driving when the state's roads are at their busiest.

Double demerit points will apply for the duration of the operation for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences.

READ ALSO: Driven to distraction: Motorists must buckle up and get off the phone

Chifley Police District commander acting Superintendent Bruce Grassick said officers will be out in force around the region to ensure motorists are complying with the road rules.

"There is major police operation that will run up to January 3 in relation to the Christmas period and the New Year period," he said.

"That operation will encompass police district staff, specialist sections including Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, our proactive crime teams, detectives and other resources to ensure that it is a safe period of travel.

"But we are not only just looking at the roads, we are looking at our waterways as well. Police will be out in force on the waterways.

"We must understand that any alcohol and water does not mix, so we will have our police actively on those waterways during that period of time as well."

Deputy premier Paul Toole, the local member for Bathurst and new Minister for Police, urged people to drive safely regardless of which road they drive on.

He said anyone doing the wrong thing can expect to be caught.

"If you are thinking about taking a backroad, taking a dirt road, I send a very strong message, that our police will be working around the clock," he said.

"They'll be on every corner, they'll be on those backroads, major highways, and if you're doing the wrong thing you can expect to be pulled over.

"I tell you what, if you are putting your life at risk, our motorists' lives at risk and passengers' lives at risk, then you can expect the book to be thrown at you."

Minister for Regional Transport Sam Farraway said the roads were already busy and it was essential to "take it easy", particularly after a period of time where people haven't been able to travel long distances.

"What's important is that people take a safe and measured when they're on the roads today and during the whole festive season," Mr Farraway said.

Already this year 262 people have lost their lives on NSW roads, with 187 of those lives lost on regional roads.

READ MORE: Motorists urged to be cautious after Motorcyclist dies in crash

Emergency service personnel don't want to have to respond to yet another deadly crash and be the ones to tell a family that their loved one won't be coming home.

"It's a tragic set of circumstances. Only recently in Bathurst, following the Bathurst 1000, we saw someone lose their life," acting Supt. Grassick said.

"That's a 21-year-old male that won't be at any Christmas parties this year, won't be with his family this year.

"... We don't want to see any more lives lost over this holiday period. We want people to be mindful of that, we want people to travel safely, get to your destination safely, manage your fatigue, plan ahead so we don't have to have that situation where our police are responding to those tragic events on the roadside along with other emergency services."

The police operation will conclude at 11.59pm on Monday, January 3.

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