New South Wales Police have announced Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) in hopes of reducing fatalities across NSW.

Concerning trauma trends emerged after 32 lost their lives on the state’s roads in September of last year. Of those 32 people, 22 died within a two week period. 

Operation RAID will see an increased police presence on NSW roads targeting drink driving, drug driving and fatigue - three of the largest contributors to the state’s annual road toll.

NSW Police and Counter-terrorism Minister, the Honourable Yasmin Catley MP said the increase in police presence hopes to keep people alive and safe on our roads,

“Too many people have lost their lives on our roads this year. Police are doing everything they can to address the increased trauma, including operations such as RAID, but we all have a role to play in getting ourselves, our passengers

and other road users home alive,” she said. 

In 2021, seven people lost their lives on roads in the Illawarra region, with ten serious injury crashes occurring in Kiama.

“The message is clear – slow down, put your phone away and have a Plan B if you are consuming alcohol – otherwise, you’ll meet with one of our officers who will take the appropriate action,” Minister Catley continued. 

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver said as the weather heats up in September, more people are likely to be out on the roads.

“We don’t want a repeat of last September’s road toll, where in a two-week period we saw almost two people die per day on NSW roads,” Driver said.

To date, there have been 205 fatal crashes on NSW roads, resulting in 226 deaths. 

You can report motorists driving dangerously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.