Backseat drivers are being encouraged to speak up in a bid to make sure no one dies on NSW roads this holiday season.
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The unorthodox approach follows an alarming increase in passenger deaths when compared to last year.
Already 367 lives have been on NSW roads this year.
Of those who have lost their lives, 76 were passengers.
This 24 more passengers killed in crashes when compared to 2016.
Operation Safe Arrival starts at midnight tomorrow (12.01am Friday, December 15) and will continue until 11.59pm on New Years Day (Monday, January 1).
Double demerits will be in place between Friday, December 22 and Monday, January 1, 2018 for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle-helmet offences.
Officers will be out in large numbers during the operation.
Deputy Commissioner Specialist Support, Catherine Burn, said passengers play a major role in keeping themselves, their drivers, and other road-users safe these holidays.
“During Operation Safe Arrival, we want everyone to remember not to let safety take a backseat. This means that we want drivers to think about the innocent passengers in their cars and other cars before they make a stupid decision to speed, pick up a phone, drink and drive, or drive tired,” she said.
“It also means we want passengers to be a backseat driver. Passengers need to speak up if they see their driver speeding, using their phone, or drinking before driving. They also need to offer to drive if their driver is tired or has been driving for a long period of time.
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan said paramedics approached the holiday season dreading the inevitable call to a road tragedy.
“Road accidents are among the worst jobs our paramedics get called out to. The injuries inflicted by high-speed crashes are particularly severe and often result in death or serious injury,” he said.
“Tragically, it’s not uncommon for our paramedics to treat young children after a family road trip has gone horribly wrong.
“The best present you can give your family this Christmas is your safe arrival.”
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Assistant Commissioner, Paul McGuiggan urged people to take extra care when driving to their holiday destination.
“This year alone FRNSW crews have attended more than 2,000 crashes on NSW roads where drivers or passengers were injured or needed to be extracted from vehicles,” he said.
“Some of these people have suffered horrific injuries and some have tragically died. Lives have been forever altered by crashes that could have been avoided.
