Police issue Australia Day warning

Police around the country have urged motorists to take care on the roads over the 2014 Australia Day long weekend, with boosted highway patrol officers ready to pounce on those who don’t.

The long weekend often sees a spike in road fatalities and trauma, and to discourage speeding and drink/drug driving many jurisdictions will be bolstering their road presence, adding more cars, personnel, speed traps and RBT stations.

Double demerit points will be in effect this weekend in Western Australia, New South Wales, and the ACT.

The NSW Deputy Commissioner of Police, Specialist Operations, Catherine Burn, warned motorists of the impending heightened police presence.

"‘No matter where you are in NSW, you will see an increased number of police on the roads, ensuring you obey the law, drive to conditions and get to your destination safely," she said.

Police will be conducting a four-day blitz across much of the country, with police ramping up operations from Friday, January 24, until Tuesday, January 28.

In Victoria, where there have been 14 fatalities and 352 serious injuries stemming from road accidents over the past five Australia Day long weekends, Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill highlighted the dangers of even marginally exceeding the posted speed limit.

"There is a perception that low-level speeding is safe but we know this is simply not true," he said.

"We also know that in a 60km/h zone, your risk of being involved in a collision doubles for every 5km/h you are over the speed limit.

"There is irrefutable evidence that low-level speeding is killing and injuring people and it needs to stop. Whether you’re 5km/h or 15km/h over, if you speed, you can expect to be stopped by police," said Hill.