POLICE on both sides of the river will be out in full force this King’s Birthday long weekend, following a devastating first half of the year on the roads.

People are being reminded to get the basics right on the road, with speeding, distractions, not wearing a seat belt, fatigue, drink and drug driving, and complacency all key issues.

In the past fortnight alone, 16 people have died on Victorian roads, taking the number of lives lost so far this year to 140 while in NSW 148 lives have been lost.

Victorian Police will be out in force over the long weekend with Operation Regal targeting risk-taking behaviours in an effort to prevent road trauma and help people get to and from their destinations safely.

NSW police have launched Operation King’s Birthday which starts at 12.01am on Friday and concludes at 11.59pm on Monday.

Double demerit points will apply for the duration of the operation for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences.

NSW's Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell - Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said this coming long weekend was one of the busiest times of the year on the roads.

“Many people will be undertaking long distance driving to see family and friends and I would like to remind them to ensure they have had sufficient rest before undertaking these journeys. If you're feeling fatigued, don’t fight it just pull up and have a sleep or swap drivers,” he said.

“Driving fatigued is just as dangerous as driving impaired under the influence of alcohol and drug use which we will also be targeting. On a daily basis we are detecting drivers affected by alcohol and drugs.

“We encourage anyone getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle this weekend to give yourself plenty of time, stay focused on the road, wear your seatbelt, and don’t drink and drive. It’s not just your life you are endangering, it’s the lives of others.”