With lots of footy fans awaiting the NRL Finals and vacationers wanting to make the most out of their long weekend, Australia braced itself for the influx of people during the Labour Day Holiday.
Road safety campaigns were implemented by the NSW police force to avoid untoward incidents. One of which was "Operation Slow Down" which lasted from October 2 to 5. The thrust of the operation was to urge locals and tourists alike to plan their trips ahead, observe road rules and take safety precautions.
"So far this year, 259 people have been killed on our roads, that's 26 more deaths than this time last year, and 26 more families grieving the loss of a loved one," Catherine Burn, the NSW Police Deputy Commissioner for Specialist Operations, said. The Deputy Commissioner also underscored the major cause of accidents such as tailgating, driving while fatigued, speeding and the nonobservance of safety measures like the wearing of seatbelts and helmets.
Burn encouraged motorists to be wary of the holiday traffic and to slow down and maintain vehicle distance. "It's not worth risking your life or the lives of others by being reckless on the road," Acting Minister for Justice and Police, David Elliott, added.
According to reports and social media accounts of travellers heading home after the holiday, heavy traffic was inevitable. Being stuck in the traffic jam became more challenging with the onset of the heat waves that took place over the long weekend as well as the temperature soared to up to 40 degrees in some parts of the state.
However, as part of the long weekend, locals spent the much needed time to relax and bond with their families. Apart from keeping tabs on the NRL scores, among the popular activities for this Labour Day holiday are barbecue picnics, wine tasting and getaway trips to the beach, mountains and the countryside.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
