Double demerits set to be enforced: here's what you need to know

Double demerits will take effect on Friday, January 24, at 12.01am and end at 11.59pm on Monday, January 27.

Higher fines and double demerit points will apply for offences such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, driving under the influence and using a mobile phone illegally.

Relieving Acting Inspector Jason Marks of the Macquarie sector of Highway Patrol said it's not worth motorists breaking the law this Australia Day long weekend.

"We'll have an increase of highway patrol across the weekend and that'll be a profile of visibility, with marked police cars but unmarked police cars too," he said.

"So if you want to have a drink, don't drive. Come up with a plan B.

"Don't take any risks. At the end of the time we're going to catch you."

There were 61 fatalities on NSW roads in 2024, up from 11 in the previous year.

Of the 340 fatalities that occurred in NSW in 2024, 138 of them were on country roads, with a speed limit greater than 80km/h.

Bathurst MP and Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said every driver needs to take responsibility behind the wheel.

"We have seen a 22 per cent increase in fatalities in western NSW in the past year with speed and fatigue the top two contributors to crashes," Mr Toole said.

"Speed limited are there for a reason, to keep everyone safe. They are not a suggestion - they are the law."

Motorists are also being urged to make the most of the many driver revivers scattered across western NSW.

With driver revivers in Bathurst, Orange, Canowindra, Cowra, Cudal, Molong, Forbes, Parkes, Ilford, Geurie, Wellington, Narromine, Trangie and Gilgandra, motorists can stop, enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.

With over 180 sites across Australia, driver revivers are in place to help address fatigue-related road trauma.

Lyn Chapman, president of the Bathurst branch of the Country Women's Association (CWA), said the Bathurst driver reviver stop will be open from Friday to Monday, from 8am-4pm.

"It's very well situated, with beautiful parks and clean toilets, which is great," she said.

"We're right on the corner here, where people can stop and relax, get a biscuit, enjoy a cuppa, have a chat and go on their way.

"That's the whole idea, to stop and revive."