Over the past Christmas and New Year period, some people have lost their lives or suffered serious accidents, prompting police to urge the public to take extra care during the holiday season.

Many deaths and accidents during major holidays usually occur as a result of road accidents and incidents at sea.

This year’s Christmas holiday period is longer as it falls together with the weekend. For this reason, the Vanuatu Police Force is appealing to the public to take extra precautions while celebrating.

Many families go swimming in the sea during this time, and in past years there have been deaths and accidents at several popular swimming and picnic spots.

Police are advising the public to make sure they are familiar with the areas where they take their families for picnics, including understanding the tides and knowing when the sea comes in or goes out.

Regarding road accidents, police record an increase in accidents during major holiday periods. In many cases, road accidents are linked to drivers driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police have reminded the public that Section 16 of the Traffic Act addresses drink-driving and driving under the influence of alcohol, and this offence is now being dealt with very seriously. Police are using breathalyser machines to test alcohol levels.

As people say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year, police say they will allow only a short period around midnight for celebrations and noise, but it is prohibited to engage in activities that are against the law.

Police also warn that anyone who throws rubbish onto the roads will be identified and charged, and people are urged to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.

Throughout Christmas and into the New Year, police continue to carry out Operation Noel, launched by the Vanuatu Police Force, to ensure peace and order across the country.