Double demerits kicked into gear just after midnight on Thursday for the Australia Day long weekend.

Police launched Operation Safe Arrival on Wednesday to police the roads over the holidays with double demerits in force for all speeding, seatbelt, motorbike helmet and mobile phone offences.

“In addition to the Tamworth Country Music Festival operation, we have extra traffic and highway patrol command staff from Sydney on hand to patrol the roads in and out of town as well as back roads,” Senior Sergeant Brett Davies said.

“We just want to ensure all motorists get to their destination safely so we urge drivers to obey the speed limits, drive to the conditions, don’t drink and drive or drive while distracted.”

Earlier this week a man was allegedly detected driving while disqualified at Caroll on the Oxley Highway while a woman was allegedly caught with a low-range PCA. 

Double demerits are in force until midnight on Sunday.

Meanwhile, police say just two people have been detected drink driving since the start of the country music festival in Tamworth.

Operation Sherbrook – the blitz policing the 10-day music festival – has seen extra officers deployed onto Tamworth streets on trail bikes, push bikes, buggies, on foot aswell extra plain clothes officers and highway patrol police.

Senior Sergeant Davies said five crashes had been recorded, with one person injured, and two people had been detected drink driving in Tamworth since January 19.

A 22-year-old woman was allegedly almost twice the legal limit when she was detected in Tribe Street in Tamworth, shortly after 10pm.

Police will allege she recorded a reading of 0.090 and was charged with mid-range PCA and had her licence suspended.

A 23-year-old male was also allegedly detected with a blood alcohol reading of 0.065 after being stopped in Greg Norman Drive.

“The majority of motorists are doing the right thing and that is quite pleasing,” Senior Sergeant Davies said.

Earlier this week, police said most revellers had been behaving during the festival with infringements issued for minor incidents like offensive behaviour and intoxication.