MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO HELP REDUCE THE NSW ROAD TOLL

MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO HELP REDUCE THE NSW ROAD TOLL

Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has called on motorists to play their part in reducing the state’s rising road toll on the eve of the Anzac Day long weekend.

“Noone wants to see a repeat of the devastating Easter period in which 10 lives were lost on the State’s roads.

Mr Dwyer said every holiday period we are told to drive safely, don’t speed and to take regular breaks but the toll keeps on increasing.

“It is getting to the point that almost one person has been killed in a traffic accident everyday this year.

Mr Dwyer said regional communities are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with 70 per cent of fatalities occurring on regional roads during that time.

“Country drivers are paying the price. Regional roads continue to be underfunded, despite accounting for the majority of deaths,” Mr Dwyer said.

“Over the Easter period, Police issued more than 25,000 infringements including 507 drink driving offences and over 8,000 speeding offences and still, 10 people lost their lives,” he said.

Mr Dwyer pointed to the broader trend as further evidence of failure.

“The 12 month road toll has climbed to 362 lives lost, up from 328 the previous year. That is a significant and unacceptable increase,” he said.

“At the same time, serious injuries are rising, with 11,667 people hospitalised in 2025. These are not just statistics, they are families shattered and communities grieving.”

“The Easter tragedy must be a turning point and I’m calling on motorists as well as the Government to take immediate responsibility.

“Ten deaths over Easter is a national disgrace and should be a wake up call,” Mr Dwyer said.