Tamworth equals last year's road toll, Moree overtakes it

It’s feared the toll may soon rise with the busy October long weekend period approaching, along with the Christmas holidays.

Moree Plains has already overtaken its 2016 figure of two, with five deaths.

The stretch of New England Highway between Tamworth and Uralla, which includes the steep Moonbi Ranges, was recently revealed as the region’s deadliest road, with five fatal accidents this year.

NSW Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said the state government was spending more than half a million dollars on improving the highway near Moonbi to increase the width of the road and improve drainage to to make the road safer in wet weather.

“Sadly, behind every single road toll statistic is a grieving family,” Mr Carlon said.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility and we all need to play our part especially as we approach busy holiday periods like the October long weekend and Christmas break.

“Motorists need to remember that every time they get behind the wheel they are responsible not only for their own lives but the lives of every driver, rider or pedestrian they come in contact.”

According to the Centre for Road Safety’s data, so far this year there have been 14 single fatality crashes, two double fatality crashes and one triple fatality crash in the New England State Region roads resulting in 21 people losing their lives.

For the whole year in 2016, there were 13 single fatality crashes and seven double fatality crashes in the region resulting in 27 deaths.

“The government has also provided $60 million for a range of safety improvements on the Oxley Highway,” Mr Carlon said.

“The improvements include proposed new and extended overtaking lanes and a major intersection realignment at Spencers Cutting. Work has already been completed on a range of projects such as the overtaking lane east of Gunnedah.”