NSW has recorded its lowest road toll in almost 100 years, with 297 deaths on our roads in the past 12 months. The 2020 road toll is the lowest it has been since 1923 when there were 231 road deaths and NSW had a population of 2.2 million, less than one-third the size it is today.

Motorists have been urged not to become complacent as reduced traffic resulting from coronavirus restrictions is considered a major contributing factor to the reduction in the road toll.

“While we have seen a significant reduction in road trauma in a number of areas over the past 12 months, we cannot be complacent about the dangers. There may have been fewer deaths among drivers, passengers and motorcyclists but it has also been a year where we have seen a significant reduction in traffic volumes due to the pandemic,” said Minister for Roads Andrew Constance.

The greatest reduction in fatalities was on country roads with 50 fewer fatalities. Sadly, this trend was not reflected locally. Most residents would have seen the news reports relating to the two fatal crashes in Narrandera Shire during December.

Speeding remains the leading contributing factor to fatal crashes and speed related fatalities rose to 47 per cent of the road toll last year. During the height of the pandemic earlier last year, 52 per cent of deaths on our roads involved excessive speed in comparison to 38 per cent during the same time the previous year.

Police are disappointed in the number of motorists caught exceeding the speed limit during the 2020-2021 Christmas and New Year period. The state-wide Christmas and New Year road safety operation was from Thursday 24 December 2020 to Sunday 3 January 2021 inclusive, with double demerit points in force for this period. During this operation police issued a total of 9,407 Traffic Infringement Notices for speeding, up 650 compared to the same time the previous year. This included 268 fines for P-Plate drivers caught exceeding the limit.

“I know the majority of people were excited to see the back of 2020 and it appears as though we travelled at speed into 2021, which is a concern given that speed is a leading contributor to fatal crashes,” said Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Acting Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty.

Drivers are urged to slow down and travel safely for the remainder of the summer holiday season. The priority every day – not just during the holiday season – is to reduce fatalities on the road and for the road safety message to get through to all motorists.

Double demerits will be in place for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences from Friday 22 January to Tuesday 26 January inclusive.

Police will continue to have a presence on all roads across the state, from highways to rural backroads - so put the phone away, keep to the speed limit, always wear seatbelts and have a Plan B to get home safely if you’re drinking.

“Any death on our roads is one death too many. I am asking everyone to take responsibility for road safety in 2021 by giving yourself plenty of time to travel, don’t speed, drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt, avoid distractions, make sure you’re well rested and if you’ve been drinking or have taken drugs, don’t drive,” Minister Constance said.

Remember the road toll isn’t just a number. It represents lost loved ones; husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends and colleagues. The impact of the loss is far reaching and long lasting. Each life lost is one too many. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s strive for an even lower road toll in 2021 and move towards zero fatalities on our roads.