NT Police road safety Operation Angove launched ahead of 2024 Christmas season
From Alawa to Alice, Territorians can expect to see more random breath tests and police presence on the road, as NT Police launch Operation Angove. See the video.
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Territorians can expect more random breath tests and police presence this festive season as NT Police launch Operation Angove.
The operation will run Territory-wide – including in regional and remote areas such as Katherine and Alice Springs – throughout the Christmas and New Year’s period.
Superintendent Rick Magree said motorists could expect officers to be “anywhere, at any time”.
Mr Magree said there were at least 60 officers involved in the operation.
He urged Territorians to drive safe over the Christmas and New Year’s period.
“Christmas is a time for celebration, but also a time that we need to be vigilant on our roads,” Mr Magree said.
“The message is really simple – don’t drink and drive, just drive safely.”
The targeting of drink drivers was one of the main focuses of Operation Angove, he said.
“With a lot of Christmas parties and celebrations, one of the key concerns is alcohol consumption and distractions on the road,” he said.
Fifty-eight lives have been lost on Territory roads so far in 2024, with Mr Magree saying many of those were caused by alcohol.
“The lives lost on the road this year have been the highest in over a decade and many of those have been in relation to drinking and driving,” he said.
Mr Magree hoped the heightened police visibility would send a message to Territorians in 2025.
“What we really want to do with this Christmas and New Year’s operation is build up that momentum so that we hit the ground running in 2025 and really minimise the risk we see on our roads,“ he said.
With the Wet season looming, Mr Magree encouraged Territorians to drive to the conditions on the road.
“The roads do get slippery so it’s really important you make sure your tyres are roadworthy and your car is in good condition,” he said.
However, he said ultimately it was up to Territorians to do the right thing on the road.
“It’s also important to make good choices, slow down and definitely don’t drink and drive,” he said.
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Originally published as NT Police road safety Operation Angove launched ahead of 2024 Christmas season
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