The Government in New South Wales (NSW) is calling on the state’s 6.4 million drivers and riders to make safer choices on the road in 2026, and to do their part to help reduce the annual road toll.
In 2025, NSW recorded 355 deaths on the roads – 28 more than the previous year.
Now the Government has issued the message to every road user to ‘slow down, stay alert, and never drive impaired or fatigued.’
Speed remains the biggest killer on NSW roads. In 2025, 134 people died in crashes where speeding was a contributing factor, representing almost four in every ten deaths.
The 2025 figures also show increased trauma among vulnerable road users and older people, including:
- 54 pedestrian deaths, with most occurring on everyday suburban streets
- Cyclist deaths increasing from five to 15, including three e-bike riders
- 75 motorcyclist deaths, up seven compared to 2024
- Older road user fatalities (70+) increasing 38 per cent to 72 deaths (including 18 pedestrians)
“These tragedies continue because of the choices people make: speeding, driving tired, driving distracted, or driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs,” said Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison.
“With speeding involved in almost four in every ten deaths, I’m asking people to take their foot off the accelerator. It doesn’t have to be extreme speeding to be deadly, even a few kilometres over the limit can be the difference between a near-miss and a funeral.”
