Tasmania Police will launch its annual road safety initiative next week as authorities urge motorists to take responsibility behind the wheel during the festive period.
Operation Safe Arrival will run statewide from Monday December 22 until Friday January 2, focusing on dangerous driving behaviours including speeding, drink driving and mobile phone use.
Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said police would conduct increased patrols throughout the holiday period.
“We’ll have high-visibility and covert patrols on our highways and main roads and we’ll be covering other routes, back streets and rural areas,” he said.
“Keeping everyone safe on our roads is a mission for the whole community, not just police.”
The operation comes as Tasmania’s 2025 road toll reaches 42 fatal crashes compared with 28 for the same period last year.
Last year’s campaign saw more than 12,670 random breath tests conducted, with 55 drink-drivers intercepted.
Police also recorded 777 speeding offences, including 396 in the Southern District alone, along with 37 mobile phone offences and 20 seatbelt infractions.
Bodnar urged drivers to slow down and plan their journeys with adequate time to reach destinations safely.
“Our message here is simple. We are pleading with the public to take more responsibility when driving,” he said.
“Slow down, be more attentive behind the wheel and always drive to the conditions.”
Authorities are also calling on the public to report dangerous driving they witness on Tasmania’s roads.
“If you see something dangerous on our roads, or someone who is acting in a reckless manner that puts other people at risk, then tell police so we can take action,” Bodnar said.
The public can report dangerous or reckless driving by calling triple zero (000) in emergencies or contacting police on 131 444.
