The road toll dropped by 35 lives this year, making it the biggest reduction in deaths in five years.
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Three lives were lost in the region, including on Christmas Day, when a man died when his vehicle overturned in Tabulam near Tenterfield.
A man died in a single-car crash near Coolatai when the car hit a tree and caught fire, and a three-year-old boy died in a crash at Moonbi on December 16 when a car left the road and struck trees and a boulder.
The news comes as double demerits ended on January 1, but more than 240 lives were still lost on country roads.
The numbers are a reminder to drivers to stay vigilant, Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Melinda Pavey said.
“It’s heartening to see that the road toll as a whole has dropped and we are committed to ongoing action, but road safety is a two-way street,” she said.
“It’s also encouraging to see a reduction by more than 1000 in serious injuries from crashes.”
There were 26 fewer deaths on country roads but, in NSW, drivers are four times more likely to die in a crash in the country than in a metropolitan area.
As Rural Road Safety Week wrapped up in October, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said regional Australians were over-represented in road deaths and injuries.
“Even though we make up around a quarter of Australia’s population, regional Australians make up more than half of the deaths across the nation,” Mr McCormack said.
“[This is] an opportunity for our regional communities to stop and reflect on the part we can all play in keeping people safe on our country roads.
“This includes never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, scanning the road ahead, knowing your limits and planning ahead, taking regular breaks on long drives, never driving through floodwater, being alert for wildlife and livestock, and driving to the conditions.”
The state government will invest $100 million in 204 road safety projects across country NSW.
Speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and fatigue are the biggest killers on roads, with around 250 lives lost on country roads each year.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
