New Rules Expected Following Alarming Road Toll in NSW
Proposed changes aim to enhance safety for motorcycle riders in NSW after a troubling rise in road fatalities
NSW, Motorcycle Safety, Road Regulations, Traffic Fatalities, Transport
Sydney: The safety of new motorcycle riders is about to get a lot more attention in NSW. This comes after a shocking statistic: nearly one person died every day on the roads in 2024.
In total, 340 people lost their lives in road accidents across the state, which is the same as last year. Speeding was the main culprit, causing over a third of these deaths.
Interestingly, while cyclist fatalities hit a record low, motorcyclist deaths jumped by more than 30% compared to the previous year. This has raised alarms among officials.
Transport for NSW Secretary Tom Dahar mentioned that they’re looking into new measures for the motorcycle licensing system. He said they want to make it more like what car drivers go through.
“We’ve done a lot of research and looked at what other places are doing,” Mr. Daher explained. They’re gearing up to roll out these changes later this year.
Roads Minister John Graham pointed out that road deaths are still too high. He emphasized the need for action, especially since many of the fatalities involved inexperienced riders.
Mr. Daher noted that L-plate and P-plate motorcyclists were heavily represented among the 67 riders who died on NSW roads this year. Riders over 40 were also at risk.
“We’re really worried about inexperienced motorcyclists. This is a big focus for us this year,” he added.
They’re also planning to enforce rules about the safety gear motorcyclists wear, as there are currently no regulations in place.
Minister Graham acknowledged that while the start of the year was tough, the number of road fatalities is still unacceptably high.
To tackle this, they’re launching an average speed camera trial in two regional areas, which have seen a disproportionate number of deaths.
Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison pointed out that two-thirds of the fatalities occurred on regional roads, with fatigue being a significant factor.
“Every death is a tragedy, and it affects families deeply,” she said, stressing the importance of road safety.
Interestingly, only five cyclists were killed on NSW roads this year, the lowest number since the 1960s, and pedestrian deaths have also decreased.
More updates to follow.