Police have scrapped double demerit penalties across the state this long-weekend, but the Newcastle-Hunter Highway Patrol sector is planning to have just as many officers on the region's roads as any other public holiday period.
NSW Police Minister David Elliott announced last weekend that the usual double demerit penalties would not apply for the October long-weekend in order to give people a break, as many of the state's residents continue through a drawn-out COVID-19 lockdown.
"It's been a long, tough COVID-blighted year in NSW and the long-weekend marks a point in this journey where we can see the finishing line," Mr Elliott said on Thursday.
"This is in no way a green light for drivers to break the rules - and Traffic and Highway Patrol officers will be out in force as usual - but this weekend we won't be doubling-up the demerits."
Newcastle-Hunter Highway Patrol Inspector Mick Buko told the Newcastle Herald the same number of officers would be on the region's roads as any other long-weekend, particularly focusing on drink-driving, drug-driving, distracted drivers and speeding.
Inspector Buko said police would be on the lookout for people trying to sneak out of Greater Sydney for a weekend up the coast, in breach of public health orders.
"It's not a time to be complacent," he said.
"I've got my Highway Patrol staff out - they'll be on the M1 [Pacific Motorway], they'll be on the Pacific Highway, they'll be at Wyee, they'll be on the Putty Road, they'll be on the New England Highway.
"If people think they can sneak around the back streets to get up north, they'll have to think again."
Inspector Buko said the lockdown meant there were fewer vehicles on the road, which he believed increased the chances that his officers would catch drivers breaking the law.
"Stay home, enjoy time with your family," he said.
"If you need to get out of the house and get some staples, do it, but let's do everything safely and slowly this long weekend."
According to NSW Police figures, 203 people have died in crashes on the state's roads so far this year - 147 of those in regional areas.
For the same period last year, 219 people died in crashes in NSW - 143 of those were in regional areas.
