NSW police begin blitz following rise in road toll

THE state’s road toll has reached 235 deaths so far this year, prompting police to begin a two-week blitz on fatigued drivers from Monday.

Highway Patrol head ­Assistant Commissioner John Hartley is concerned about the road toll.

THE state’s road toll has reached 235 deaths so far this year, prompting police to begin a two-week blitz on fatigued drivers from Monday.

Highway Patrol head ­Assistant Commissioner John Hartley announced the operation yesterday, just hours after the state’s most recent tragedy.

A 20-year-old man died when his Honda Accord slammed into a tree in Milperra.

“It’s a good reminder for us about driving safely on our roads,” Mr Hartley said.

The number of deaths on NSW roads is up 35 on the same period last year, with ­fatigue-related crashes alone up by 65 per cent.

There have been 75 fatalities in the past year because of tired drivers.

Mr Hartley has instructed highway patrol officers across the state to speak to drivers about fatigue every time they pull someone over for an RBT.

“People don’t think they’re tired; they think they can reach the next town, think they can drive further and further.

“If you don’t realise the ­factors of tiredness you may crash and kill yourself or someone else,” he said.

Speed was still the single biggest killer, attributed to 164 deaths in the past year.

The state government has poured $400,000 from its roads budget into the campaign for more police and advertising.