MEDIA RELEASE
2
JANUARY 2010
2009 SYDNEY REGION ROAD TOLL INCREASES
An RTA spokesperson said there had been a disappointing increase in the 2009 road
toll across the Sydney region.
“The provisional end of year 2009 road toll for the Sydney region of 129 was a 17 per
cent increase on the previous year which had been a record low 110.
“The Sydney region covers more than 4.4 million people and stretches from Brooklyn
in the north, the Blue Mountains to the west, Camden to the south west and the
Sutherland Shire in the south,” the spokesperson said.
“Along with numerous local and regional roads, Sydney has a significant number of
major highways and motorways including the F3, F5, F6, the Pacific Highway,
Princes Highway, Hume Highway, Great Western Highway and the Sydney Orbital.
“These roads cut through mountains, pass through bushland and cross gorges and
rivers during rain, hail and shine.
“It is extremely tragic to know that 129 people have lost their lives on Sydney roads –
that’s 129 too many,” the spokesperson said.
“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.
“In 2008, the road toll was the lowest since World War Two but last year numbers
climbed again.
“Unfortunately the same increases are being reflected in other states, with South
Australia and Tasmania also experiencing rises in the 2009 provisional road toll,
although the provisional 2009 road toll for Victoria has dropped.
“It is no cliché to say every death on NSW roads is a tragedy for the friends and
family of those involved.
“Speed remains the major factor in crashes throughout NSW, with speed-related
fatalities up 40 per cent on last year.
“In 2009, 46 per cent of fatalities involved speed. 213 people died in speed related
crashes in 2009, compared with 152 in 2008, a 40 per cent 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 the 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 
