Police are warning motorists to take more care after seven people died in motor vehicle across the state on the weekend, two of them in the northern region.
About 6:20pm on Saturday (August 13), a 21-year-old man, who was the rider of a Kawasaki motorcycle, died after crashing with a car on Waterfall Way, Fernmount, near Bellingen.
About 12:20pm on Sunday (August 14) a 30-year-old woman died following a two-vehicle crash on the Pacific Highway, Chinderah.
This brings the total number of deaths on roads in our region to 85 so far this year, with a total of 252 across the state.
Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, commander of the state’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, said that with the lives lost over the weekend, the risks that are on our roads should be obvious to all road users.
‘To have this many deaths in just three days should serve as a warning as to what can go wrong on our roads.’
‘There is little doubt that speed, fatigue, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seat belt or proper helmet, or distraction by a mobile phone contribute to crashes on our roads.’
‘To have 252 lives lost in 227 days so far in 2016, suggests that personal responsibility is failing many road users.’
‘That is 252 lots of families and friends that are suffering the loss of losing a loved one on our roads.’
‘Operation Towards Zero continues and there will be more police on our roads making sure that those not taking personal responsibility for their actions are accountable.’
‘Among results over the weekend, officers from Operation Towards Zero conducted Random Breath Tests on over 600 drivers, issued 59 speeding and 125 other traffic infringements.’
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