NSW has recorded its lowest road toll in almost 100 years, with 270 deaths on the state’s roads in the past 12 months.
The 2021 road toll is 14 less than 2020 and 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.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police, Paul Toole said a concerted effort had been made to achieve an ongoing reduction of the road toll across the last decade.
“An additional 725 people would have died on NSW roads in the past 10 years had the State’s road toll remained at the same level as it was between 2008 and 2010 – that’s 725 people who would be missing around the family dinner table,” Mr Toole said.
“While we’re pleased to see the road toll at a near 100-year low, even one life lost on our roads is one too many, which is why we will keep working to drive the road toll towards zero.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway said the figures released today were among the lowest on record for regional roads.
“In the bush, distance often means more time spent on the road and it’s all too easy to become complacent about road safety,” Mr Farraway said.
“We’re working hard to make regional roads safer including record investment on life-saving treatments like safety barriers, rumble strips and wide centrelines but we need everyone to do their bit when they get behind the wheel to ensure they and other road users get home safely.”
Minister for Metropolitan Roads, Natalie Ward said the figures showed that even before the COVID-19 Delta outbreak in the second half of 2021, NSW was on track to achieve record low road fatalities.
“During the first 6 months of 2021, there was a record low 139 people killed on NSW roads, 25 less than the average number of people between 2018 and 2020,” said Ms Ward.
