Highway patrol have just finished Operation Tortoise, a five-day campaign during Easter and they will have a short turnaround with Operation Go Slow enforced for three days during the Anzac Day long weekend.

An increased police presence in the western region, including Dubbo, is a cornerstone of both campaigns.

Statistics from the western region and Orana region were relatively good for Tortoise, according to Western Region Traffic and Highway Patrol Orana senior supervisor Mal Unicomb, but year-to-date figures aren't so good.

"We had a spike in injuries and fatalities at the start of the year, with both of those up from the same time last year," Acting Inspector Unicomb said.

"In the Orana Local Area Command we are three fatalities up from last year.

"It takes a huge effort from our guys and a lot of good behaviour from the public to bring those figures down."

Acting Inspector Unicomb said people shouldn't underestimate just how much effort police put into road safety.

"Our officers put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into trying to keep motorists safe. The last thing they want to be doing is attending a fatal accident," he said.

"Sometimes accidents can't be avoided because of factors like weather and mechanical failures but that is only a small percentage. The biggest influence is driver behaviour.

"That is why we are appealing to the public to help us."

Across the five days of Easter, more than 22,500 random breath tests were carried out, resulting in 32 drink driving charges. There were 584 people charged with speeding, 100 more than the same period last year but there were five fewer major accidents and eight fewer injuries.

"That doesn't necessarily mean there were more people speeding, we had an additional number of staff from Sydney in that time so detections were up. We look at crashes, injuries and fatalities, which were down," Acting Inspector Unicomb said.

"Speeding is still a major concern, especially when it is coupled with fatigue. That can be a killer.

"We are still getting people who are doing high speeds on back roads. We are getting a lot who are exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 kilometres, which means they are doing in excess of 130 kilometres an hour.

"We are also getting people who are drink driving."

The Newell Highway is one road that will be targeted by police during Operation Go Slow.