Local drivers urged to slow down

Drivers travelling in the electorate of Lake Macquarie are being urged to slow down this Rural Road Safety Month, with more than two-thirds of the lives lost on NSW roads occurring in the country.

Preliminary figures show 163 people were killed or injured in crashes on Lake Macquarie roads in 2018/19, while 22 were killed and 265 seriously injured in the five years from 2014/15 to 2018/19 said Catherine Cusack, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter.

Ms Cusack said speeding was the most common contributing factor in fatalities in Lake Macquarie during this five-year period, contributing to about 32 per cent of people killed, followed closely by alcohol as a contributing factor in 27 per cent of fatal crashes.

“Every one of these deaths and serious injuries has had a devastating impact on families, friends and communities,” Ms Cusack said.

“Whether you’re a driver, passenger, rider or pedestrian, every decision you make on the road matters and we all have a responsibility to make safe choices.”

Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said the road crash fatality rate in Lake Macquarie is one and a half times the State average.

“A lot of people are quick to blame the roads, but speeding, drink and drug driving and fatigue remain the biggest killers on NSW roads,” Mr Piper said.

“We’ve got to take ownership of that problem before more precious lives are lost.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole last week launched Rural Road Safety Month, an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, with campaign advocate, NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler.

“Every time you get behind the wheel, the choices we make can have fatal consequences,” Mr Toole said.

“Every life lost or serious injury suffered represents a family, a friend and a community that is impacted. Speeding remains the biggest contributor to road fatalities, contributing to 39 per cent of fatalities last year.

“The NSW Government is committed to making roads safer for everyone, which is why we’re investing more than $640 million in the Safer Roads Program for regional NSW, along with $140 million from the Federal Government to roll out life-saving projects.”