With more than half the people killed on Tasmanian roads this year vulnerable road users, police are pleading with drivers to take extra care over the Easter long weekend.
Three ATV riders, a cyclist and a motorcyclist make up five of the state’s nine road deaths in 2026. There have been 77 serious injuries.
Operation Safe Arrival was launched in Longford today by Tasmania Police Commander Marco Ghedini and Deputy Premier Guy Barnett.
The six-day campaign runs through the Easter holiday period.
Police will target the fatal five – speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, inattention and fatigue.
“Sometimes you’ll see us and sometimes you won’t, as police use overt and covert measures to intercept unlawful and dangerous drivers,” Ghedini said.
Officers will run random breath and drug testing, speed operations and mobile patrols on highways, rural roads and back streets.
The campaign comes after a grim 2025, when 44 people were killed on Tasmanian roads – up from 32 the year before and the sharpest rise of any state in Australia.
Last Easter, three people died on Tasmania’s roads. Police want that number to be zero this year.
Ghedini said cooler, wetter autumn weather added to the risk for drivers this weekend.
“Reduced visibility and slippery roads demand slower speeds and an increased awareness of what’s going on around you,” he said.
Drivers are being urged to take advantage of rest-and-revive stops across the state, including at St Peter’s Pass on the Midland Highway and on the Tasman Highway between Launceston and Scottsdale.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and for safer roads, we need safer road users,” Ghedini said.
Deputy Premier Guy Barnett said the best Easter gift anyone could give was arriving safely.
“Do not drink and drive, do not drive with drugs and drive to the conditions,” he said.
