MEDIA RELEASE
2
JANUARY 2010
2009 WESTERN REGION ROAD TOLL INCREASES
An RTA spokesperson said there had been a tragic and disappointing increase in the
2009 road toll across Western NSW.
“It is extremely tragic to know that 75 people lost their lives on Western NSW roads in
2009 - that’s 75 too many,” the spokesperson said.
”The provisional 2009 end of year road toll for the Western region of 75 was more
than double the previous year which was 37.
“A significant number of these people were interstate drivers.
“The provisional end of year 2009 road toll for NSW of 460 was a 23 per cent
increase on 2008 which had been a record low of 374.
“In 2008 the road toll was the lowest since World War Two but in 2009 numbers have
climbed again.
“It is no cliché to say every death on our roads is a tragedy for the friends and family
of those involved. “
The spokesperson
said speed remains the major factor in crashes, with speed-
related fatalities up 40 per cent in 2009.
“In 2009, 46 per cent of fatalities involved speed.
“213 people died in speed related crashes 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 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.
“The government will continue to do all it can to make the roads in Western NSW
safer.
“This includes a $225 million road budget for 2009/2010 in Western region and
initiatives such as the Newell Highway road safety review (with a commitment to
$10m of safety works each year for three years), as well as a $14.7 million safety
upgrade on the Castlereagh Highway between Lithgow and Mudgee.
“Sadly, the key issues on NSW roads remain speeding, driving while fatigued and
drink-driving. I
“Drivers need 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 
