Double demerits to limit NSW road toll

NSW drivers will face double-demerit penalties for drink and drug driving between Friday and Monday following a bleak lead-up to the Australia Day long weekend.

Twenty-seven people have died on the state's roads already in 2015, including a seven-year-old boy on Thursday which brought the death toll to 15 in the past seven days.

"Three people tragically lost their lives during last year's Australia Day period," Police Minister Stuart Ayres said.

"We don't want to see anyone else pay the ultimate price."

He said police would target speeding, drink and drug-driving, and mobile phone and seatbelt offences.

School zones are back in place from January 27.