Police are urging all road users to exercise caution and display proper judgement when using the roads after five people died in separate crashes in the state in three days, NSW Police say.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith of the state's Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said five deaths in three days should be enough for road users to realise extra care is needed on our roads.
"With the road toll now at 221, 44 more than this time last year, road users need to do more to ensure their safety on our roads.
"Sadly, 109 drivers, 30 passengers, two cyclists, 46 pedestrians, 32 motorcycle riders and two pillion passengers have all lost their lives on our roads so far this year; clearly those on our roads need to start to accept that personal responsibility is the key to keeping us all safe on our roads," Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
Since Friday (15 July 2016) there have been five fatalities;
About 5.30am on Friday, a 45 year-old man was the driver of a Honda CRV travelling west on Raymond Terrace Road, Millers Forest, when 300m east of Martins Wharf Road he left the
road and struck a power pole.
About 5.40am also on Friday, an 18 year-old man was the rider of a motorcycle travelling north on Port Hacking Road, Sylvania when at the intersection of Snowden Avenue his bike and a truck collided.
About 4.40am on Sunday yesterday, a 41 year-old man was the front passenger of a
Toyota Hilux travelling east on Bingleburra Road, East Gresford, when the vehicle left the road, rolled then struck a tree, ejecting the victim from the vehicle.
About 12.50pm also Sunday, a 74 year-old woman was walking south on the footpath of Moate Ave, Brighton-Le-Sands, when at the intersection of Sellwood Street, a Holden Captiva travelling south on Moate Avenue left the road and hit the victim.
About 9.15pm also Sunday, a 17 year-old male was the rear passenger of a Subaru
Forester travelling west on Willoughby Road, Wamberal, when the vehicle left the road and struck a power pole.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said that while there matters remain under investigation, the common factors are concerning;
"Out of the five fatalities, four were males; in all five cases, the actions of the driver involved will be the subject of each investigation, in three of these crashes, a vehicle left the road and hit a tree or power pole," Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
"With the families and friends of those involved grieving for the loss of a loved one across the weekend, our message cannot be any clearer. Those speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seat belt or proper helmet, fatigued or distracted, are the ones that continue to put themselves, their passengers, and other innocent road users all at great risk, which continues to cost lives on our roads," Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
