Double demerits begin at midnight on Thursday for a range of offences

The state-wide safety operation, which began at midnight on Thursday,. December 24 and will continue until midnight on Sunday, January 3, is aimed at keeping travellers safe over the Christmas and New Year period.

Double-demerit points are in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, said it was important for the community to be able to enjoy the festive season, but that road safety was vital.

"Double demerits will be in place and police will be on the roads making sure that the rules are being adhered to," he said.

"I urge all motorists to obey the road rules and exercise extra caution to ensure that this festive season and the start of 2021 is safe for everyone."

The safety message was echoed by Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance, who said that road crashes in 2020 had claimed the lives of 291 people in NSW, with almost half of those involving speeding.

"It's devastating that hundreds of families will celebrate Christmas without a loved one this year, and each one of those deaths was preventable," he said.

"Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to travel, don't speed, drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt, avoid distractions, make sure you're well rested and if you've been drinking or have taken drugs, don't drive."

Over 60 per cent of those who have lost their lives on the road, did so in country NSW with 179 lives lost on regional roads.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, said that it was time country people stopped being over-represented in the statistics and took more care while travelling.

"Country people make up only a third of NSW's population, but last year deaths on country roads made up two thirds of our road toll," he said.

"We are doing all we can to make the roads safer, however road safety is everyone's responsibility.

"We are asking people to plan ahead, put the phone away, buckle up, slow down, take regular breaks and enjoy our roads safely this summer holiday."

NSW Police officers will also be targeting other high-risk driver behaviour, including the Four D's:

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb, said that after the year that people had experienced, they wanted the community to arrive at their destinations safely to celebrate the festivities with family and friends.

"Help us keep you and your loved ones safe, there is no excuse for reckless and selfish behaviour," she said.

"Police will have a presence on all roads across the state, from major motorways to rural backroads, so have a Plan B to get home safely if you're drinking, keep to the speed limit and always wear seatbelts.

"We continue to encourage the public to report anyone they see or know of breaking the law with the Four Ds - drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving - to Crime Stoppers."