Police on Hunter roads are checking addresses for COVID-19 lockdown compliance in addition to the usual road safety initiatives over the Christmas/New Year period this year.
Port Stephens Manning Traffic and Highway Patrol Acting Inspector Michael Buko said police would be enforcing the restrictions placed on Sydney areas included in the NSW Government's public health order.
"We will be checking people's licenses and home addresses to make sure they're complying with restrictions," Acting Inspector Buko said.
"If people are told by the government they're to lockdown in their areas and are found to be travelling, unless it's for reasons designated by the government, they can receive an on the spot fine of $1000."
Related: NSW records eight new locally acquired COVID cases amid record test numbers
Police will saturate Hunter roads over the holiday period targeting poor driving behaviour including speeding and drink and drug driving.
Acting Inspector Buko said there had been a lot of high range drink driving arrests in the region lately, and police would be targeting hotspots for this activity.
"It's pretty disappointing that people are driving well and truly in excess of .05," he said.
"We'll be focusing on the holiday locations knuckling down on that. There will be a heavy focus on Port Stephens this holiday period."
Double demerits come into effect on Christmas Eve and will continue through to January 3.
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