“Revving Up for Safety: NSW’s New Year’s Drive to Slash Road Toll”

NSW reported a total of 340 road fatalities in 2024 – matching the total of people lost in 2023.

Statistics indicate there was a slight decline in the latter half of the year as the Minns Labor Government implemented several initiatives to enhance road safety, including the introduction of seatbelt cameras on July 1.

Nevertheless, the amount of individuals lost on our roadways remains unacceptably high, and the Government is dedicated to building upon these measures to enhance safety and alleviate the trauma affecting our community.

In summary, fatalities still fall below the levels seen before COVID.

Speed continues to be the leading cause of fatalities on NSW roads. In 2024, 136 individuals perished in accidents where speed was involved.

The NSW Government is increasing the number of sites where mobile speed cameras can be placed on state roads and has also announced an upcoming trial of average speed cameras for private vehicles in two regional locations.

Similar to recent years, an excessive number of fatalities have occurred in regional NSW. In 2024, 234 individuals died on rural roads, which is a 2% decrease from the prior year.

Driver fatigue remains a persistent challenge, with 77 deaths linked to tiredness last year.

Alcohol and drugs are also avoidable factors contributing to many fatalities. However, in the initial nine months of last year, preliminary data indicate a 12% decrease in alcohol-related incidents and a 20% reduction in drug-related incidents compared to 2023.

As the NSW Government continues to invest in life-saving measures for all road users and the number of licensed drivers on the road increases, notable improvements in road trauma have been observed this year.

Fatalities among cyclists have reached the lowest level since detailed records began in 1960, with five cyclists dying in 2024, while deaths among pedestrians are also lower than prior years.

Unfortunately, there has been a troubling rise in motorcyclist fatalities, with 67 deaths reflecting a 34% increase compared to figures from 2023.

In response, the NSW Government is modifying the Graduated Licensing Scheme for motorcyclists to enhance training for novice riders, testing standards, and licensing requirements.

Additionally, legislation is set to be introduced in 2025 to allow mandatory drug and alcohol testing for drivers involved in accidents resulting in serious bodily harm.

The NSW Government will also persist in implementing around $1 billion in life-saving infrastructure upgrades on regional and urban roads through its Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and the federally/state funded Road Safety Program.

A variety of measures introduced by the NSW Government in 2024 will continue or expand in 2025. They encompass:

• The trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles in 2025
• Doubling enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, adding an extra 2,700 new locations for camera deployment. Total enforcement hours will stay the same
• Seatbelt enforcement via the state’s current mobile phone cameras
• The demerit point return trial promoting safe driving
• Issuing more ratings for bicycle helmets as part of its star rating system
• Closing a loophole to mandate that all drivers operating on a foreign licence convert to a NSW licence within six months
• Implementing suggestions from the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce to eliminate system abuses, primarily by visiting foreign nationals
• Signing the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth

For more information, visit road death data.

Minister for Roads John Graham stated:

“Too many lives were taken on NSW roads in 2024.

“We must not become desensitized to the yearly total or accept that it should remain at 340, as it has been for the past two consecutive years. Each of these 340 individuals represents a family and a circle of loved ones and friends who will never be the same for having lost someone.

“If there is a silver lining in the data for 2024, it’s that the sharply rising trend of fatalities reported in 2023 has not persisted, and we didn’t witness another increase in the total.

“The NSW Government is devoted to enhancing measures already in place, such as switching mobile detection cameras from monitoring phone use to seatbelt usage, conducting trials for average speed cameras for light vehicles, and implementing various measures to ensure drivers on foreign licences or visitor visas comply with the same regulations as everyone else.

“I urge all eligible drivers to remain free of offenses from January 16 to have a demerit point removed from their licence. The more individuals succeed, the more overall road safety improves.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison remarked:

“Today we honor the 340 individuals we have lost in road collisions in 2024.

“More than two-thirds of these fatalities occurred on regional roads, despite only a third of our population residing in regional areas of NSW.

“As we pay tribute to those who lost their lives this year and those who experienced severe injuries and trauma on our regional roads in 2024, the NSW Government is channeling the majority of nearly $1 billion into road infrastructure through the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and the jointly funded Australian-NSW Road Safety Program in regional locations. These initiatives are enhancing road safety, particularly in high-risk zones, and helping to reduce fatal accidents across the state.

“Speeding continues to be the primary concern in NSW regarding road trauma, and the NSW Government is doing everything possible to educate and enforce the regulations concerning speeding. We are expanding camera enforcement locations, trialing average speed cameras for light vehicles, reassessing speed zones, launching public education campaigns, and collaborating with NSW Police.

“Once again, I implore everyone to adhere to speed limits – they serve a purpose and could save your life.

“Crashes linked to fatigue have risen significantly this year, resulting in 77 fatalities (up by 24 compared to 2023). There is also a notable increase in accidents involving lone drivers suffering from fatigue (up from 18 to 29).

“This underscores the crucial need for individuals driving alone to ensure they do not drive when fatigued.

“It’s encouraging to note preliminary data showing a decrease in the involvement of drugs and alcohol in fatal accidents, and I will continue to remind all road users of the importance of taking personal accountability when behind the wheel—whether that means respecting speed limits and adjusting to road conditions, taking regular breaks, never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, avoiding distractions from mobile devices, and always, always wearing a seatbelt.”

Tom Daher, Founding Member of the Road Trauma Support Group NSW said:

“Road trauma leaves enduring scars on families and communities. Losing my father, Tannous, to a preventable accident caused by a driver under the influence of drugs is a heartbreak that will remain with me forever.

“Every day, families in NSW face the unthinkable pain of losing a loved one on our roads—nearly one life lost each day. These are parents, children, siblings, and friends whose absence is felt every moment. Over 1.5 million adults in NSW have experienced the effects of road trauma, leaving emotional and psychological scars that may never completely heal.

“No one should have to lay to rest a loved one due to an avoidable fatal accident. We hope that 2025 will witness a significant reduction in the number of individuals killed and injured on our roads, but it calls for all of us to commit to safer choices, stronger accountability, and heightened awareness of the long-term impacts of road trauma.”