Motorists across the Hunter and regional New South Wales are being urged to take extra care on the roads this long weekend, with police launching Operation Labour Day 2025.
The statewide operation runs from 12:01am Friday, 3rd of October until 11:59pm Monday, 6th of October, with double demerits in force for speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet offences. Officers will also target drink and drug driving and fatigue.
So far this year, 271 people have lost their lives on NSW roads – 192 of those in regional areas, a figure police say highlights the disproportionate risk to country drivers.
Inspector Todd Hobson from Muswellbrook Police Station’s Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said the Hunter Valley remains one of the hardest-hit regions.
“It’s been a terrible start, particularly in the Hunter Valley, where our area has been one of the top areas in the state for road trauma this year,” Inspector Hobson said.
“Extra resources are being put into the area through the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, as well as the Hunter Valley Police District. We’ll be specifically targeting the major factors that contribute to road trauma — alcohol and drug impaired driving, fatigue, the non-wearing of restraints and helmets, distractions like mobile phones, and excessive speed.”
Inspector Hobson also issued a reminder about mobile phone rules for provisional licence holders.
“It is still an offence for provisional drivers — they cannot use any feature on the mobile phone, that includes maps, Bluetooth for music, any feature at all,” he said.
“Otherwise, you will attract the infringement, and being the long weekend with double demerits, the penalty for a mobile phone offence will be 10 demerit points.”
With the NRL Grand Final also on this weekend, police say drink driving is another major concern.
“Traditionally for major sporting events, we see a spike in drink driving,” Inspector Hobson said.
“If you’re going to your clubs or pubs, or to a mate’s house or a family member’s, have that Plan B in place. How am I getting home after having these few beers? Am I catching the courtesy bus, have I got a designated driver, is someone coming to pick me up? It’s a great time to celebrate with family and friends, but have that plan in place.”
Police will be out in force conducting stationary and random mobile breath testing throughout the long weekend.
