It will not be just marked police cars on the roads, there will also be a number of “covert” police vehicles to ensure motorists don’t become complacent on the roads.

Orange motorists are just not getting the message when it comes to speeding according to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.

The number of motorists caught speeding over the Easter period jumped by 46 per cent to 118 fines last Easter break, compared to 2009 figures.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command sergeant Peter Foran said extra police have been brought to the region to target offences with the aim of keeping the road toll down.

“It’s frustrating that people don’t get the idea, maybe they think it won’t happen to them or it doesn’t happen here, he said.

A NSW Police motorbike will be in their arsenal of weapons this weekend according to sergeant Foran.

Police on the motorbike will be target motorists who use their mobile phone while driving or who are not wearing seatbelts.

“It’s as versatile as a car but it’s much more mobile,” he said.

Canobolas Local Area Command duty officer inspector Peter Atkins said NSW Police’s Operation Tortoise 2012 kicked off across NSW on Thursday and will continue through until Monday April 9.

He said they will be targeting excessive speed, alcohol/drug impaired driving, driver fatigue and people not wearing seatbelts.

“If you’re going to drive over Easter drive to the road conditions and don’t speed.”

nadine.morton@ruralpress.com