Road toll crisis: Deaths skyrocket by 100, as the most dangerous day of the week is revealed

The state’s road toll has reached a crisis point, with 100 more deaths in the past 12 months than in the year before – and country numbers continuing to be out of control.

The state’s road toll has reached a crisis point, with 100 more deaths in the past 12 months than in the year before – and country numbers continuing to be out of control.

A total of 368 people have died on the roads in NSW since last March, a jump of exactly 100 fatalities on the same time period between 2022 and 2023.

The calendar year statistics are equally concerning, with 76 deaths in 2024 compared to 59 at this time in 2023 – a rise of 17.

NSW Police Highway Patrol boss Brett McFadden said selfish driving attitudes continue to be a problem, while speed continues to be the biggest factor uncovered by investigations.

“From the police perspective we accept our role is to have a visible presence and engagement on the roads is key,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden. Picture: David Swift

“There is no hiding the challenge we have on our roads … [and] there is not a silver bullet to solve this.

“There are too many drivers out there that run the unacceptable risk of: ‘What can I get away with, that the police wont detect me?’

“We need to be concerned about more than just ourselves … we need to have sufficient respect for those in the car with us and for others using the roads.”

The road toll is a problem that has privately worried senior NSW Police ever since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But of particular concern is the rate of fatalities in country areas of the state, where every year there are more deaths than the city – so far in 2024 there have been 54 deaths in rural NSW, compared to 22 around Sydney.

A fatal crash in Kemps Creek in January.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said the rising rural road fatalities “are just appalling”.

“Here in Sydney we can sometimes find ourselves focusing on things like speed limits on inner-city roads, but we really need to focus on what’s going on regionally,” Mr Khoury said.

“We want to see the numbers retracting everywhere and we pretty much have to address all road safety challenges together, whether that be drink and drug driving, using phones behind the wheel, fatigue or not wearing seat belts.

“The first and foremost priority has to be an enhancing of resources for police, and I know recruitment is an issue, but they are the tip of the spear.”

The Daily Telegraph can reveal new statistics that uncover a jump in midweek crashes in 2024.

For many years Fridays and weekends have been the most dangerous time on the roads, but this year Wednesdays has seen the most fatal crashes occur – with 12 so far, a 500 per cent increase.

Interestingly, alcohol has been less of a factor so far in 2024, with eight less instances of it at this point than at the same time last year.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]