NSW Police are reminding the public of the importance of road safety after a significant number of dangerous driving incidents occurred across NSW over the Christmas season, including excessive speeding, high range drink driving, and reckless driving. 

Operation Christmas/New Year 2023 commenced at midnight on Friday 22 December and ran until midnight Monday 1 January 2024. Double demerits were in place during this time and police targeted dangerous and distracted driving, particularly speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelts and motorcycle helmet offences. 

A total of 8069 speed infringements, 631 drink driving charges, and 1374 drug-driving charges were issued to NSW drivers over the operation period. A further 740 major crashes were attended by the police and 342,102 breath tests were administered. 

Five people died after being involved in crashes, which is three fewer than the same time last year. 

Traffic and Highway Patrol State Operations Commander Superintendent Anthony Boyd said, “One death is too many and we will continue to do everything in our power to keep people safe on our roads through enforcement and education.” 

Highway patrol officers and local police will maintain their high-visibility presence in metro and regional areas across NSW.

“We will continue to have a zero-tolerance approach to law breakers,” added Boyd. “The end of the double-demerit operation isn’t an excuse to forget the road rules, including the speed limit.”

Regional statistics for the southern region (including Kiama): 

Restraint Infringements – 65

Mobile phone infringements – 59

Speed infringements – 2,006

Breath Tests – 64,911

PCA charges – 116

Drug-driving charges – 341

Fatal Crashes – 1

Lives Lost – 1

Reported major crashes – 78

People injured – 22