Cooma Highway Patrol Command, Sergeant Adam Kite, is urging motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions as police prepare for one of the busiest times of the year on Snowy Monaro roads.

Sgt Kite said motorists travelling through the region should expect to see a strong police presence with Cooma Highway Patrol Command vehicles patrolling arterial and country roads over the new year holiday period.

With more than two-thirds of NSW road fatalities occurring on regional and rural roads, Sgt Kite is calling on motorists to pay close attention to the roads they are driving on, particularly if they are unfamiliar.

“Motorists should expect to see us, we will have a high visibility over the holiday period,” Sgt Kite said.

“The main causes of fatalities on country roads are due to speeding and not driving to the conditions.”

Sgt Kite has been in charge of the local highway patrol command since 2018. In the seven years working in the Snowy Monaro, he said fatigue and wildlife are two localised issues motorists encounter.

“There are long distances between our towns, especially for drivers who have already been in a vehicle for some time,” Sgt Kite said.

“Around Cooma and Jindabyne we see lots of wildlife accidents. Motorists need to be extra careful.”

Over the holiday period, Sgt Kite said his team is targeting speeding offences, mobile phone use, fatigue, driver distraction and drink and drug driving.