Police are disappointed with the results of Operation Safe Arrival after 28 were killed during the 18-day operation, NSW Police say.
Disappointment often turned into frustration, as police continued to see drivers put themselves and other road user’s lives at risk through dangerous decisions, despite numerous warnings and an increased police presence on the roads.
Deputy Commissioner Specialist Support, Catherine Burn, said lives will continue to be lost if the community doesn’t work together and change their attitudes towards road safety.
"The New Year has just started and we don’t want to see more carnage on our roads. We had 392 people die on NSW roads in 2017, and 28 died during Operation Safe Arrival.
"The biggest tragedy is that most of the lives that were lost throughout the year and during the operation were avoidable.
"Simply put, it is poor decisions that are killing people on our roads and it’s not just the person making poor decisions that are dying, they are often taking innocent people with them.
"While we will continue enforce the road rules, we need everyone in the community to change their attitude toward road safety.
"Every time you get in a car or on a bike, take responsibility for your own actions and make sure everyone around you is too.
"Operation Safe Arrival has now ended, but we are committed to road safety and you will continue to see an increased presence on our roads right through to the end of the month," Deputy Commissioner Burn said.
Bernard Carlon, Executive Director of the Centre for Road Safety said the big three killers on our roads are driving too fast, tired drivers and drivers who've had too much to drink.
"The big three resulted in too many deaths and serious injuries in 2017.
"We all need to renew our commitment to safe behaviour behind the wheel if we're going to see the road toll come down again," Mr Carlon said.
Operation Safe Arrival commenced at 12.01am on Friday 15 December 2017 and concluded last night at 11.59pm (Monday 1 January 2018).
During the Operation 28 lives were lost in 24 separate crashes across the state.
LIST OF FATALITIES:
16 December 2017
- A 28-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Mt Druitt
- A 53-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Barellan (near Griffith)
- A 39-year-old woman died after a single-vehicle crash at St Marys
- A 38-year-old woman died after a single-vehicle crash at Yeoval (near Dubbo)
17 December 2017
- An 18-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Coolabah (near Nyngan)
21 December 2017
- A 24-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl died after a single-vehicle crash at Darlington Point (near Griffith)
- A 21-year-old woman died when hit by a car at Wallsend
Friday 22 December 2017
- A 77-year-old woman died after being hit by a car at St Leonards
- A 72-year-old man died after a multi-vehicle crash at Carlingford
- A 48-year-old man died after a multi-vehicle crash at Fernside (near Kyogle)
- An 80-year-old man died after his vehicle left the road and crashed on Harrison Street, Cardiff
23 December 2017
- A 27-year-old man died when his motorcycle crashed at Dorrigo
- A 25-year-old man died when a car and taxi collided in Walcha
25 December 2017
- A 44-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Beelbangera (near Griffith)
- A 91-year-old woman after a crash in San Remo
26 December 2017
- A 63-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Pappinbarra (near Port Macquarie)
- Four people died in a head-on crash south of Sussex Inlet (they are yet to be identified).
- A 25-year-old woman died after a single-vehicle crash at Glenthorne (near Taree)
- A 43-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Emu Plains
28 December 2017
- A 72-year-old woman died after a two-vehicle crash at Gunning (Sthn Tablelands)
29 December 2017
- A 22-year-old man died after a single-motorcycle crash in Crestwood (near Quenbeyan)
1 January 2017
- A female died after a car hit a parked car on Brunker Road, Yagoona
- A 54-year-old man died after he was struck by a car on Railway Road, New Lambton
- A 75-year-old man died after his car left the road and crashed on Clarence Way, Copmanhurst
Throughout the entirety of Operation Safe Arrival:
- 49,459 infringements were issued, including 20,245 for speeding
- 1222 people were charged with drink-driving.
- 1454 major crashes have been reported, resulting in 479 people injured
- 28 lives were lost.
