Share to Survive is the message from police to drivers ahead of the Easter long weekend.
Operation Tortoise begins at midnight on Thursday, April 2, and finishes at 11.59pm on Monday, April 6.
Commissioner Andrew Scipione said police were horrified and appalled that during March, 28 people were killed because of road accidents in NSW.
“Although the road toll is six fewer than for the same period last year, it doesn’t make it any better,’’ he said.
‘‘In fact, 83 people had died.
‘‘The message has to get through – this craziness has to stop.
“Every road user — whether they are motorists, pedestrians or cyclists + need to share the message that they are responsible for road safety.
“Although police will be out in force over the long weekend, it is ultimately up to the people behind the wheel, controlling the bike or crossing the roads to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“We are asking everyone to share the message, to share the responsibility — Share to Survive.”
Joining Commissioner Scipione at the launch of Operation Tortoise today were Rob and Karin Kinny whose son Nathan died in a collision at Willoughby in October 2013.
Mr Kinny said Nathan was just 22 and doing what he loved — riding his motorcycle to work — when he collided with a van.
“Karin and I never imagined it would be a member of our family who would be injured or killed on the roads,’’ he said.
‘‘That it would be us who would be sitting in a small hospital room as a doctor quietly and gently told us that Nathan would not survive.
"On that October day a little more than a year ago, a 22 year old lost his life, we lost our son, his siblings lost their brother, his friends lost a mate and his girlfriend lost her future — all because of a moment's inattention or lapse of judgment on the roads.
"Not a day goes by when we don't think of Nathan and no words can describe the feelings, emotion and sorrow that well up every time we do.
‘‘The memories of him growing up, his passion for his mates, motor cycles and sport, his love of family and girlfriend and his life's huge potential.
“We hope that by sharing our story, our grief and our loss, that others will be spared this.
“When you are out on the roads this weekend, and for that matter every day, drive with the intention that you do so safely, that you and your passengers get to where you are going and return in one piece, alive.’’