General News
8 April, 2026
Four lives lost over Easter weekend on NSW roads
The 2026 Easter long weekend traffic operation has now concluded
NSW Police had a high-visibility presence across the state during Operation Easter 2026 from 12.01am Thursday, April 2, 2026 to 11.59pm Monday, April 6, 2026.
The police operation involved officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of general duties and specialist police from all commands and districts across the state.
A double demerit period targeting speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet offences was also in place for the same time period.
Over this long weekend four people lost their lives, which occurred in the northern and southern regions.
Across the state, police issued 15,711 traffic infringement notices, including 4800 for speed related offences, 558 for mobile phone usage, and 326 restraint offences.
Police conducted more than 317,891 breath tests, with 319 drink driving offences and conducted 11,646 drug tests with 935 drug driving offences detected, with 333 major crashes reported.
The minister for police and counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley, said the long weekend road toll was a reminder of the consequences of unsafe driving.
“The loss of four lives on our roads is devastating and our thoughts are with their families, friends and the first responders who attended these tragic incidents,” minister Catley said.
“Police saturated our roads over the long weekend, but enforcement alone cannot prevent every tragedy. Every driver has a responsibility to themselves, their passengers and every other road user to make safe decisions behind the wheel.
“One poor choice can cost lives and leave a lasting impact on families and communities. With the Anzac Day long weekend just around the corner, we’re urging drivers to heed these warnings - slow down, stay focused and think carefully about the responsibility you have when you get behind the wheel of a car.”
Traffic and Highway Patrol commander, assistant commissioner David Driver said any life lost on the roads was one too many.
“Four people lost their lives over the long weekend. That meant police officers delivered heartbreaking messages to loved ones and four families experienced unbearable grief,” assistant commissioner Driver said.
“Frustratingly and disappointingly, drivers continued to make dangerous and reckless decisions behind the wheel and did not appreciate the risk to themselves and other road users.
“NSW Police will be out in force across the school holidays and ANZAC Day long weekend.
“Police continue to urge drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, manage their fatigue, and not drink or take drugs and drive.”
NSW Police will conduct another traffic operation across the ANZAC Day long weekend from Friday, April 24, 2026 to Monday, April 27, 2026, where a double demerit period will also be in effect.
