Operation Safe Arrival, which began at midnight, will target speeding motorists, drink drivers and people not using seat belts, child restraints and motorcycle helmets properly.

Double demerit points will apply for all driving offences throughout the operation, which ends at midnight on January 3.

Sixteen people were killed in car crashes in the Camden Local Area Command this year - seven of those deaths occurring in the Wingecarribee Shire- and Mittagong Highway Patrol Sergeant Dave Black said police were keen to keep the festive season free from road fatalities.

He said highway patrol crews would maintain a high profile on local roads throughout the operation, particularly on the Hume Highway, Illawarra Highway, and the less travelled back roads.

"We're working extended shifts, 12 hours a day and keeping fully marked highway patrol vehicles on the road virtually around the clock," he said.

Sergeant Black said police were particularly focusing on P-plate driver behaviour.

"We'll be particularly heavy handed towards P-platers, particularly in relation to smaller infringements such as not displaying their plates," he said.