As the long, Easter weekend approaches, the Tasmania Police Safe Arrival Operation will kick off on Thursday, April 14.
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The message is in the name - getting people to their destination safely, according to Northern Tasmania Road and Public Order Services member Sergeant Stuart Greenwood.
The operation is a Tasmania Police annual Easter road safety strategy that runs over the Easter break - between Thursday, 14 April to Tuesday, 19 April.
"The idea behind the initiative is to make our roads safer during a time where we traditionally see increased traffic volume on our roads," Sergeant Greenwood said.
"Statistically, we know that two thirds of all serious and fatal motor vehicle crashes occur on our arterial and rural roads and on our highways. This time of year, we also know, traditional long weekend destinations are accessed by this very same network where our serious and fatal crashes are occurring."
Key locations for increased volume in Northern Tasmania are Bass and Midland Highway and highways heading to St Helen's, Bridport and coastal regions.
As of publication, Tasmania's road toll is at 13 - twice what it was this time in 2021.
The operation will include more police on the ground; both high visible, marked cars and covert, unmarked vehicles.
"We've got members from other areas that have been called in to assist over this period," Sergeant Greenwood said.
"Being on the roads we're hoping that even if we don't interact with a member of the public that our presence will influence their driver behaviour."
The focus will be on the 'fatal five' - speed, alcohol, drugs, seatbelts, distraction and fatigue. Members will also be looking at combination vehicles which are vehicles towing caravans, boats or trailers.
"This time of year, a lot of people have pulled theirs out for the first time in a while and will be in our road network in amongst other road users," Sergeant Greenwood said.
"You may, if you are towing a boat, or trailer, be intercepted by police to be examined to ensure both your vehicle is safe, so other road users are safe as well."
There will be operations in rural and urban locations including alcohol and drug testing buses.
Sergeant Greenwood asked all drivers to consider their trip.
"Be safe when you are on the roads, do not drink and drive, do not take drugs and drive, watch your speed, drive to the conditions, if you are tired, pull over and take a break, please wear your seatbelt and try not to be distracted while driving," he said. "Distraction is not just your mobile phone, it can be any device."
The Road Safety Advisory Council (RSAC) is also reminding drivers to take responsibility for their own actions behind the wheel this Easter
"The message is simple - don't speed, put your phone away, wear your seatbelt and don't drive if you are tired or have consumed alcohol or drugs," RSAC Chair, Scott Tilyard, said.
SES volunteers will be running Driver Reviver sites on Easter Monday. The locations around the state include:
- Paramatta Creek - Bass Highway, between Latrobe and Deloraine
- St Peters Pass - Midland Highway near Oatlands
- Sideling Lookout - Tasman Highway between Launceston and Scottsdale
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