NSW traffic to be heavy as people drive instead of fly over Christmas holidays

Police and transport authorities are bracing for traffic chaos on NSW roads ahead of the Christmas holiday period. Find out why.

NSW roads are expected to be jammed these Christmas holidays. Picture: Damian Shaw

Highways are expected to be jammed over the Christmas holiday period as people hit the road to avoid record-high airfares and unreliable flight schedules.

Police and transport authorities are bracing for traffic chaos on the state’s roads which have significantly deteriorated after a year of record rainfall and flooding.

Tourism operators and car rental companies are at capacity for the festive season as holiday-makers pack up and drive to avoid airports and forking out the highest airfares since 2004.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said Covid-19 forced people to take “driving holidays”, and they’ve been doing it ever since.

“Our holiday parks and resorts are near or at capacity, car rental bookings are up … we are seeing it already, it’s going to be extremely busy on the road,” Mr Khoury said.

Slow holiday traffic leaving Sydney on the Hume Motorway near Campbelltown. Picture: Jonathan Ng

He said it won’t just be the major highways up and down the coast, but regional roads too as people head away from cities for their holiday.

Last year, Jetstar and Virgin were forced to cancel dozens of flights on Christmas Eve when crews were hit with Covid-19 and forced into isolation, leaving hundreds of people unable to reach their destination on time.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said NSW Police are “acutely aware” of the traffic pressure looming over the holiday season.

“It’s not just about the cost of airfares or reliability of airlines, there’s been another interest rate rise and those financial pressures have reduced people’s disposable incomes,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Robert Pozo

He said motorists needed to recognise that it will be busy, and that many roads across NSW are in a shocking condition from weather events this year, and that will add to delays.

“People need to start having the conversation now and planning their trip, building in breaks and factoring in time to enjoy the trip,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.

“There’s a real social responsibility as a driver on our roads … and there has to be recognition that it’s going to be a very busy time on the road.

This month, 94 councils will receive their share of $50 million in funding to repair pothole-ravaged local and regional roads as part of the NSW Government’s repair program.

Mr Khoury said there were parts of the Central West and North Coast still underwater from recent flooding, and restoration works would continue over the holiday period.

“They need to do it when it’s dry, so that means on top of the traffic, there will be maintenance crews out there too,” Mr Khoury said.

NSW Police will be enforcing double demerit points over the holiday period, and drivers can expect to see roads saturated with officers carrying out random breath and drug tests.