BORDER restrictions means locals should prepare themselves for busy roads this Christmas and New Year period.
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Travelling during the festive season already comes with its fair share of traffic and delays, but since COVID-19 hasn't allowed much travel, many people are planning to hit the road to visit family and friends, or escape for a much-need holiday.
Acting Inspector for Peel Highway Patrol, Jarrod Langan, said police are bracing for the busiest time of the year, on top of the current border closures.
He said motorists need to ensure they're looking out for the safety of themselves and their passengers, as well as the safety of other road-users.
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He said alcohol has "no place in the driver's system", and everyone needed to "make good choices about planning our transport to-and-from".
"Please make good decisions ... safe decisions not only for yourself, your passengers, but other road-users," he told the Leader.
"Speeding offences, drink-driving and use of mobile phones will be a high priority for highway patrol officers over the Christmas/New Year period."
He said motorists needed to be mindful of fatigue, too, and take plenty of breaks.
"Western roads are predominantly long, open stretches of roadway where it can become quite boring, which may encourage the onset of fatigue," Acting Inspector Langan said.
"Drivers are reminded to stop regularly and take breaks so they can reach their destination safely."
There will be a constant flow of highway patrol vehicles on not only our major highways and major arterial roads, but back roads through the district.
- Acting Inspector for the Peel District Highway Patrol, Jarrod Langan.
Unfortunately, the Tamworth Driver Reviver won't be open this festive season to keep drivers and riders kicking along.
The reviver, usually set up on the Armidale Road, needs two Lion's Clubs to be run, according to Tamworth Peel Valley Lion's Club president, Michelle Brown.
"We can't sustain it on our own as a club, there used to be two clubs that ran it but we haven't got the support to run it at this stage," Ms Brown said.
"We will revisit it in the new year to try and either get some other clubs on board to help us out."
Those thinking about doing the wrong thing on their holiday drive should think twice.
All available officers will be rostered on duty during this period targeting wrongdoers, Acting Inspector Langan said.
"Not only on day shift but also night shift," he said.
"There will be a constant flow of highway patrol vehicles on not only our major highways and major arterial roads, but back roads through the district."
Before embarking on a road trip, locals should:
- Check the tyre pressures and condition of a vehicle if it hasn't been used recently. Inconsistent tyre pressures in a fully-laden car can spell trouble in an emergency;
- Control fatigue by giving some thought to the distance travelled and planning rest stops accordingly;
- Leave on their trip early after a hearty breakfast, not at the end of a working day;
- Be prepared: take plenty of water; facilitate toilet stops with the kids at regular times - every two hours maximum with a 15-minute rest stop; keep eating to a minimum as it can bring on drowsiness; take a sugar hit with some sweets; and share the driving.
- Don't forget the old adage - Stop, Revive, Survive.