Starting midnight on Friday, December 20, double demerits will apply to speeding, seatbelt, helmet and mobile phone offences until midnight on Wednesday, January 1.

NSW Police said as part of Operation Safe Arrival officers will also be targeting other poor driver behaviour, including drink and drug-driving.

"Our message for the festive season is: 'give safety right of way', which means keeping to the speed limit, wearing seatbelts, and helmets for motorcyclists/cyclists, having a Plan B to get home safely if you're drinking, and focusing on the road always," Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said

"No reason warrants breaking the law, compromising safety, and endangering the lives of other road users.

"Police will be on the same roads you are this Christmas. Our presence will extend from major roads and highways in cities right through to back roads in rural areas."

Drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period can expect a fine and to lose 10 demerits.

The fine for illegal mobile phone use is $344, or $457 if detected in a school zone.

School zones will still apply up until Friday, and falls within the double demerits period.

According to the NRMA's Can't talk. Driving. report, one-in-five or 21 per cent of drivers have been involved in a near-miss behind the wheel because the other driver was using a phone while driving.

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