Two people die and 44 injured on southern region roads in Australia Day period

Operation Australia Day 2022 began at 00.01am on January and ended at 11.59pm on February 1, where additional police were deployed across metropolitan and regional areas for Australia Day and the remainder of the school holidays.

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Statistics showed that 11 people died in NSW in this time, which is three more than last year, with two fatalities in two separate crashes in the southern region.

Two people also lost their lives in the region in Operation Christmas/New Year 2021 between December 24 and January 3.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Glinn, said police will continue to have a noticeable presence across the state as people return to school and work.

"You will continue to see Highway Patrol officers, and local police, patrolling roads in your community, especially around school zones," he said.

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"Our focus is on keeping children, parents and the wider community safe as the holidays end and school returns.

"Police won't tolerate anyone breaking the law through dangerous driving, this includes exceeding the speed limit, driving under the influence, or driving while distracted."

Other statistics from the region include forty-four people injured, 1817 speed, 53 mobile phone and 67 restraint infringements issued and 99 PCA charges issued.

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A total of 34,908 breath tests were also conducted across the region, with a total of 255,607 conducted statewide.

Police attended 865 major crashes, laid 627 drink-driving charges and issued 7739 speed infringements across NSW.

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