MEDIA RELEASE
1 JANUARY 2010
2009 NORTHERN REGION ROAD TOLL INCREASES
An RTA spokesperson said there had been a disappointing increase in the 2009 road
toll across Northern NSW.
“It is extremely tragic to know that 69 people lost their lives on Northern NSW roads
last year – that’s 69 too many.”
The spokesperson said the provisional end of year 2009 road toll of 69 in the
Northern region was five deaths higher than 2008.
The provisional 2009 end of year road toll for NSW of 460 was a 23 per cent increase
on the previous year which had been a record low 374.
“The 2008 road toll was the lowest since World War Two but last year numbers
climbed again.
“It is no cliché to say every death on NSW roads is a tragedy for the friends and
family of those involved.”
The spokesperson
said speed remains a major factor in fatalities
throughout NSW
and had increased by 40 per cent in 2009.
“Last year, 46 per cent of fatalities involved speed.
“213
people died in speed related crashes in 2009, compared with 152 in 2008, a
40% increase.
“People are becoming complacent and thinking that driving even five or 10 kilometres
above the speed limit is acceptable or that a crash ‘won’t happen to them’.
“Unfortunately nothing could be further from the truth and that is reflected in the fact
that people are killed at a rate of more than one a day.
“While speed remains the highest killer on the roads, fatigue is also an issue. In
2009, 18 per cent of fatalities involved fatigue, compared to 16 per cent of fatalities in
2008.
“Since 1944
the number of vehicles on NSW roads has increased 15 fold, the
number of licensed motorists has increased 11 fold and the NSW population has
doubled.
“Sadly, the key issues on NSW roads remain speeding, driving while fatigued and
drink-driving.
“Drivers are urged to stick to the speed limit and drive to road conditions, not to drink
and drive and to plan ahead for trips, including rest breaks,” the spokesperson said.
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
