Police are urging motorists heading to this weekend’s 60th race meeting at Bathurst’s iconic Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, to plan ahead and drive safely.
With more than 200,000 visitors expected at the Bathurst 1000, a high-visibility policing operation will be running involving general duties and specialist police targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phone use and seat-belt offences.
Operation Bathurst 2023 commences on Thursday (5 October 2023), and will continue until Sunday (8 October 2023), to ensure the safety and security of competitors, officials and thousands of spectators expected at the Repco Bathurst 1000.
Western Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree APM, said there will be a significant police presence on all roads leading to Bathurst.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and motorists should avoid putting themselves and other road users at risk,” Assistant Commissioner Greentree said.
“Dangerous or irresponsible behavior by drivers will not be tolerated and people should do everything they can to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them.
“Random drug and alcohol testing will be in place in and around Bathurst, and racegoers are urged to take precautions to make sure they arrive and get home from the event safely.
“There will be thousands of extra vehicles on the road to Bathurst and – as it coincides with the end of the NSW school holidays – I urge extra caution on Western roads.
“We know poor driver behavior and fatigue contribute significantly to fatal and injury crashes, so motorists need to drive to the conditions that are prevailing at the time: show patience and courtesy to other road users,” Assistant Commissioner Greentree said.
Operation Bathurst, a high-visibility police operation – which will also target anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related violence – will run from Thursday 5 October 2023 until Sunday 8 October 2023.
Further information about the event, including venue maps, transport and parking availability, can be found at:
