Serious driving offences surge as virus empties NSW roads

COVID-19 lockdowns may have cleared the streets but that hasn’t stopped reckless drivers, with almost twice as many fines issued for serious driving offences than this time last year.

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More people are speeding and driving recklessly on NSW roads despite the COVID-19 lockdown, with a 40 per cent increase in serious speeding offences on this time last year.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the number of people exceeding the speed limit by 45km/h had jumped significantly.

“One concerning statistic we are seeing is a significant increase in speeding particularly over 30km and over 45km per hour,” he said.

“Speeds of over 45km/h have increased over 40 per cent on the same time last year.”

More people are getting caught speeding amid the lockdown as drivers take advantage of quieter roads. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Commissioner Fuller said the worrying trend showed careless drivers were taking advantage of emptier roads as a result of the lockdown.

“Just because there are less cars on the road that doesn’t give you an opportunity to drive recklessly and put other people’s lives in danger,” he said.

One of the busiest roads Parramatta Road at Ashfield towards Western Sydney is also getting busier. Picture: Jonathan Ng

According to exclusive data obtained by The Daily Telegraph from Transport for NSW, said traffic volumes on the road network across Sydney had fallen by around 55 per cent over the past four weeks.