Bloody toll is getting worse on NSW roads

TRAFFIC police made an impassioned plea to motorists to curb the carnage on NSW roads in the hope of cutting last year's toll of 364.

ON January 1, traffic police made an impassioned plea to motorists to curb the carnage on NSW roads in the hope of cutting last year's toll of 364.

But with 11 weeks to go, the 2012 death tally stands at 309 - up 33 on the same period last year - and is expected to dramatically climb in the traditional holiday season.

Most alarming is the number of pedestrians killed this year (49) and the 19 per cent increase in fatalities involving drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts.

Superintendent Stuart Smith, Commander Traffic and Highway Patrol Operations, said: "There should not be such a rise, we've done enough education on wearing the damn things, and more importantly, putting a restraint on a child." Pedestrians plugged into iPhones and other electronic devices are suspected to be behind an almost 30 per cent increase in pedestrian deaths on NSW roads so far this year.

"We have run a pedestrian operation with the motorcycle response team and spoken with pedestrians with iPhones and iPods," Supt Smith said.

The Pedestrian Council of Australia recently launched a safety awareness campaign in response to an epidemic of pedestrians using mobile devices when crossing the road.

PCA president Harold Scruby said people were distracted when plugged into electronics and did not realise they were eliminating their ability to assess danger.

"You're taking out more than just one of your senses, not just the ears but your ability to look and think is affected as well," Mr Scruby said.

While drivers made up close to half of all those killed in fatal crashes in 2011 and 2012, there has been a 30 per cent increase in motorcycle fatalities as well - 52 motorcyclists compared to 40 to October 19 in 2011. The number of motorcycle registrations has grown five per cent per year in the past few years, with more than 180,000 motorcycles now on NSW roads.

"The year-on-year growth is partly to counter traffic congestion but a lot of motorcyclists are dying on weekend joy rides where speed and ability are factors," Supt Smith said.Fatalities are also up in the older age group of 60 to 69 and in the younger age group of 17 to 20 years police said.

Police said they were launching significant operations this summer to counter the road toll.