Road fatalities in NSW have reached an almost 100-year low, with the State achieving its 2012 target to reduce road deaths by 30 per cent by 2021.
Announcing the milestone, Deputy Premier and Minister for Police, Paul Toole said the 10-year achievement coincided with the lowest recorded road toll in NSW since 1923, with 270 people losing their lives on State roads in 2021.
“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,” he said.
“We need everyone to do the right thing to help us achieve that goal – stick to the speed limit, wear your helmet or seatbelt, put the phone away and never, ever drive if you’re affected by drugs or alcohol.”
Minister for Metropolitan Roads, Natalie Ward said the figures showed that even before the Delta outbreak in the second half of the year, NSW was on track to achieve record low road fatalities.
“During the first six 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,” Ms Ward said.
“Every loss is a tragedy for the person’s friends and family, which is why it is so pleasing to see road fatalities declining over the last decade,” she said.
