Go slow for double demerits.

ACT Policing and NSW Police will again join forces to target speeding, drink-driving and driver fatigue over the June long weekend as motorists head to the snowfields for the start of the 2011 ski season.

Officers from both police jurisdictions gathered today (Thursday, June 9) at the ACT/NSW border to help publicise the “Operation Snow Safe” campaign.

From the first moment on Friday, June 10, through to midnight Monday, June 13, double demerit penalties will be in place. During this time, ACT Policing will be conducting high-visibility patrols on major arterial roads in and out of Canberra, in cooperation with the NSW Police Highway Patrol.

ACT Policing’s Traffic Operations Officer-In-Charge Sergeant Jeff Knight said that operations like these will continue from the June long weekend throughout the ski season, focusing on the high-risk contributors to road trauma such as speeding and drink driving.

“We know that the official opening of the ski season is a keenly anticipated and festive occasion for thousands of ski and snow enthusiasts however, police would urge everyone driving to the snow to be patient, and obey the speed limits,” Sergeant Knight said.

“Anyone travelling down and back from the snowfields this long weekend can expect to encounter traffic and potential delays. They can also expect to see police patrolling the roads. Driver fatigue will be an issue so we want all motorists to stop, revive and survive.

“A reminder, too, that it’s important to always drive to the prevailing road conditions. We want everyone to arrive home safely at the end of the long weekend,” he said.

During the June holiday weekend last year, ACT Policing issued 108 Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) and delivered 38 cautions while in 2009, 86 TINs were issued and 44 cautions were given.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]