Tasmania Police is urging Tasmanians to stay safe on our roads this festive season.

Last year during the Christmas/New Year period, five people were killed in crashes on Tasmanian roads.

We want to make sure that other families aren’t left to spend the holidays remembering their loved ones.

From Saturday, 21 December until New Year’s Day, Tasmania Police will once again be conducting Operation Crossroads and cracking down on motorists who do the wrong thing.

Police will be targeting known hotspots for drink drivers and drug drivers and will be patrolling alternative routes out of towns and cities, targeting the back streets, rural roads and entertainment districts.

With additional traffic on the roads, as well as more caravans, boats and trailers, our message to all road users during the festive season is to:

• Slow down and drive to the conditions
• Pay attention all the time
• Don’t drive while tired
• Always wear your seatbelt or helmet
• Don’t drive after drinking or if you’ve taken drugs – it’s not just your life at risk.

For anyone doing the wrong thing there will be fines and demerit points issued, but it’s the potential loss of life or serious injury caused that road users should be most concerned about.

Let’s make sure everyone gets home safely this festive season.