Christmas road blitz: Police urge drivers to slow down, stay alert after two deaths

NSW police have urged people to drive safe over the Christmas period with double demerit points in place for many road offences, including speeding.

NSW Police Force’s annual road blitz, Operation Safe Arrival runs from December 21 and will continue until January 1. Source: AAP

NSW motorists are being urged to be extra cautious and take breaks over Christmas as thousands of people take to the roads for long distance drives.

Operation Safe Arrival, an annual high-visibility policing operation, began on December 21 and will continue until January 1.

Some high-profile cases already have NSW Police seeing red.

Just after midnight on Monday police detected a red Ferrari travelling at 180km/h in an 80km/h zone.

The male driver, aged in his 20s, was charged and ordered to appear in Waverley Court in January.

Highway Patrol Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy has urged drivers to slow down. Source: AAP

"I would urge everyone to consider getting a good night's sleep and extra time to get to your destination," Highway Patrol Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.

So far police have handed out 5883 infringements across NSW - not including speeding.

In addition, they have handed out 3502 speeding fines, 183 drink-driving charges and recorded two deaths.

Among them was a 19-year-old girl near Narrandera who was in a ute that left the road and rolled on Saturday night.

She died in hospital on Sunday.

The 19-year-old male driver remains in hospital.

Double demerit points will remain in place over the long weekend for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.