Police are appealing for passengers to speak up after eight people lost their lives on NSW roads during the weekend, NSW Police say.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Acting Assistant Commissioner, Julie Middlemiss, said three of the weekend crashes resulted in passengers losing their lives.
"We want drivers to think about the people in their cars – as well as other road users – before they make a decision to speed, pick up a phone, drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or drive when they are tired," Acting Assistant Commissioner Middlemiss said.
"We want passengers to be prepared speak up and highlight the driver’s behaviour.
"If they see their driver speeding, using their phone, drinking or taking drugs before driving – they need to be prepared to speak up.
"I would encourage all road users to think about their plans. Making good choices is critical for the safety of everyone on the road.
"If a driver or rider is incapable of making good decisions about how tired they are, keeping within the speed limit, drinking or taking drugs before driving, then they should not venture out onto our road network.
"We are appealing to passengers, friends and family members to step in, call them out and prevent serious crashes caused by drivers and riders who should not be on our roads"
Those who lost their lives on NSW roads on the weekend were
• A 97-year-old woman was a passenger in a car involved in a crash with a truck at Windsor, about 10am on Friday 12 October. She died later in hospital.
• A 62-year-old man died when his Harley Davidson and a car collided to the Pacific Highway at Ulmarra, near Grafton about 9.25am on Friday 12 October.
• A 32-year-old woman died in John Hunter Hospital at the weekend after being critically injured in a crash involving a stolen car at Charlestown about 2am on Friday 21 September 2018.
• A 35-year-old man died after the Mazda Tribute he was driving left the road and hit trees near Balranald in south-western NSW about 9.30am on Saturday (13 October 2018).
• A 17-year-old girl died after the Mazda 6 she was a passenger in left the road and hit a power pole at Blacktown about 5.30am yesterday (Sunday 14 October).
• A 22-year-old man died after the unregistered trail bike he was riding hit a fence at Narromine around 6.40am yesterday.
• A 49-year-old woman was the sole occupant in a car which left the road and hit a pole at Sanctuary Point about 12.30pm yesterday. She died at the scene.
• An 81-year-old woman died after being hit by a car after falling over in the car park of a business at Macquarie Park about midday yesterday.
