Tamworth police: Operation Chrome sees ten arrests at the weekend in blitz

Ten arrests were made and 59 infringement notices handed out in the police operation that targeted risky drivers in the Oxley and New England police districts.

At least 28 per cent of fatalities on north-west roads are the result of drink-driving, Peel Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Mick Buko said.

"It's just disappointing that people can't listen and be responsible, driving a car in country towns isn't rocket science," he said.

"Just drive sober, there's no need for drug or drink-driving and it's the same with mobile phones, people are constantly caught because they feel it's too important to not answer the phone.

"People have to take responsibility."

A dozen staff were deployed on New England and Oxley roads at the weekend in the operation that saw police and highway patrol officers hit the roads together to patrol.

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Laws enforced on Monday mean anyone who drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs will have their licence automatically suspended by police.

It's a move Sergeant Buko hopes will see the fatalities on local roads drastically reduced.

"We hope it gets through, it's a pretty strong message now to lose your licence, maybe it's what people need to understand how dangerous it is and that is has to stop," he said.

Two further blitzes are planned for later this year.

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