There is no safe level of alcohol or drugs when getting behind the wheel, according to the Sturt Highway Taskforce as part of its 'Arrive safe this Christmas' campaign.
Taskforce chair and Murrumbidgee Mayor Ruth McRae OAM said whether it's a work party or a family barbecue, there's no excuse for driving under the influence.
"Plan your trip home - book a taxi, use a designated driver or stay the night this holiday season," she said.
Between 2020 and 2024, alcohol was involved in an average of nearly 30% of crashes on country roads where road users were killed or sustained serious injuries.
"There's never a good reason to drive after drinking or using. One bad decision can change lives forever," Narrandera Shire Mayor Neville Kschenka OAM said.
"We want everyone in our community - and those travelling through it - to enjoy the holidays safely. Plan ahead, look out for your mates, and make the choice that gets everyone home."
Motorists are reminded that random breath and drug testing operate year round across NSW, with double demerits in force for the festive season.
Tip for safe celebration:
- Nominate a designated driver before drinking.
- Don't drive the morning after - alcohol and drugs can stay in your system for many hours.
- Look out for mates and help them make the right choice.
The Sturt Highway Taskforce includes the councils of Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Leeton, Hay, Murray River, Balranald, Wentworth and Murrumbidgee. The group advocates for investment in safety, infrastructure and freight efficiency along the 605-kilometre highway, which connects Tarcutta in NSW to Adelaide via Victoria and South Australia.
Source:
Transport for NSW, "Interactive Crash Statistics - Crashes by type and region, accessed 31 October 2025, https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/statistics/interactive-crash-statistics/road-users-by-behavioural-factors-crashes
