MEDIA RELEASE
2
JANUARY 2010
2009 NSW ROAD TOLL INCREASES
SOUTHERN REGION ROAD TOLL DOWN
An RTA spokesperson said that while the total road toll for NSW had
increased for
2009, the RTA’s Southern region in NSW has achieved a reduction in the road toll.
“Motorists in Southern region have taken road safety messages on board.
“The provisional end of year 2009 road toll for the Southern region was 54. This is
eight deaths fewer than in 2008.
“While there have been some encouraging results in the Southern region last year,
there is never any room for complacency,” the spokesperson said.
“Speed remains the major factor in crashes throughout NSW, with speed-related
fatalities increasing by 40 per cent in 2009.
“Last year, 46 per cent of fatalities involved speed in NSW. 213 people died in speed
related crashes in 2009, compared with 152 in 2008, a 40 per cent increase.
“Speeding is the number one killer on the roads, especially among younger drivers,”
the spokesperson said.
“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.
“The provisional end of year 2009 road toll for NSW of 460 was a 23 per cent
increase on the previous year which had been a record low 374. Southern region
has done well to go against this trend.
“The 2008 road toll was the lowest since World War Two but last year numbers have
climbed again.
“It is no cliché to say every death on the roads is a tragedy for the friends and family
of those involved.
“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.
“The government will continue to invest in NSW roads.
“This includes a record $4.4 billion road budget for 2009/2010 as well as upgrades on
Picton Road; upgrades on the Princes Highway,
including the recently completed
Oak Flats to Dunmore project; and the ongoing Conjola Mountain upgrade -
as well
as the ongoing upgrade of Main Road 92.
“Sadly, the key issues on the 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 
