POLICE TAKE A RURAL FOCUS

POLICE across regional NSW will be targeting reducing rural road trauma this weekend as they launch Operation Chrome.

Operation Chrome is a state-wide regional operation being conducted in the northern, southern and western regions today and Saturday (November 30, 2019).

The operation will utilise police from all districts within each region, working alongside officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command to provide a coordinated effort to reducing rural road trauma.

Police will be targeting poor driving behaviours on rural roads - including speeding, drink and drug-driving, not wearing seatbelts, using a mobile phone behind the wheel and fatigue.

Drivers and riders should expect to see more police on rural roads and highways over the weekend.

Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell APM, said reducing rural road trauma was a top priority for the regional NSW.

"So far in 2019, 234 people have lost their lives on regional roads – that's 19 more than this time last year," he said.

"Operation Chrome is designed to not only target the main highways, but the back roads and suburban streets. Expect to see us in numbers this weekend.

"It won't just be officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol that will be tasked with keeping everyone safe on our roads."

AC Mitchell said anyone taking a risk on the road could expect to be caught.

"If you are on the road and doing something wrong, you will be stopped by police in an unmarked car, general duties police, or one of our highway patrol officers," AC Mitchell said.

"Our main aim is to stop fatal crashes before they happen. Road safety is everyone's responsibility. It's that simple."

The Guardian

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