Anthony Roberts MP today welcomed the NSW Liberals major roads safety initiative strengthening police highway patrol numbers by one third establishing a 1,200-strong patrol force.

"The most effective way to improve road safety, cut the road toll and reduce P-plate driver accidents is to get police highway patrols back on NSW roads," Mr Roberts said.

"NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam announced the Liberals will increase the number of highway patrol officers in NSW by one third providing an additional 300 officers dedicated to road safety.

"The plan also increases the number of highway patrol motor vehicles and motorcycles.

"This will provide NSW roads with a 1,200 highway patrol force dedicated to reducing speeding, drink driving and cutting P-plate accidents and deaths.

"I will lobby hard for the Electorate of Lane Cove to get its fair share of new officers to improve road safety in our local area.

"There is no better deterrent to rogue drivers, especially P-platers, than marked police cars patrolling our streets and highways."

Peter Debnam and the Liberals' package includes:

·        300 extra highway patrol police officers;

·        120 additional highway patrol motor vehicles;

·        50 highway patrol motorcycles;

·        Consolidate Highway Patrol, traffic police and Accident Investigation Squad into their own State Command; and,

·        Examine feasibility of using qualified highway patrol officers to assist PCYCs and schools in driver safety and awareness.

"Tragically, the number of young drivers killed on NSW roads has nearly doubled this year, yet Morris Iemma and part-time Police Minister John Watkins are cutting highway patrol numbers.

"Highway patrol officers have travelled almost 500,000 fewer kilometres in the first three months of 2006 compared with seven years ago.

"The Iemma-Costa Labor Government’s cuts to police numbers since 2003 has put road safety at risk as highway patrol officers are taken off the road to do other general duties police work.

"Roads safety experts acknowledge the best way to improve road safety is to increase the presence of highway patrols."

The NRMA's Alan Evans stated in June 2006: "“The visible presence (of highway patrol officers) is by far the best deterrent and the best way of convincing people to behave."

Chairman of the NSW Parliament's Staysafe Committee Paul Gibson stated in 2003: "Policing the road is the greatest single deterrent to accidents."

"Morris Iemma and part-time Police Minister John Watkins have failed to deliver increased highway patrols over 12 years and unfortunately families across the state are all paying for their failure in the most horrific way.

"The only way to improve roads safety, increase highway patrol and cut P-plate deaths is to change the government and vote Liberal," Mr Roberts said.