Drivers are being encouraged to “drive so others survive” ahead of National Road Safety Week, as the number of people killed on NSW roads continues to rise. 

In 2025, 355 people lost their lives on NSW roads, 28 more than the previous year. Speed was the biggest contributor, with 135 people killed in crashes where speed was a factor. This year, in just four months, 119 people have lost their lives on NSW roads.  

Winmalee resident Tracy Blake knows only too well the impact of losing a loved one. 

Her daughter Mackenzie was killed in 2021 when she was hit by a truck while walking along the footpath by the Great Western Highway at Blaxland. 

Ms Blake’s message this National Road Safety Week is to be aware of the impact of distractions such as mobile phones. 

“Distractions have a significant impact to trauma on the road. Reducing the number of distractions for drivers and pedestrians such as not being distracted by your mobile phone, is important,” Ms Blake said.  

“We can’t just put the onus on drivers, it’s pedestrians as well, so be alert before you cross the road or get to your destination.”  

Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle echoed Ms Blake’s message, and also urged drivers to slow down, stay alert and never drive impaired or fatigued. 

“Please consider others when you get behind the wheel. We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe,” Ms Doyle said. 

National Road Safety Week is led by the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, founded by Springwood’s Peter Frazer, who lost his daughter Sarah to a road crash 13 years ago.  

“Everyone has a right to get home safely to their loved ones,” Mr Frazer said. “Choose to drive so everyone survives.” 

“The road toll has been going in the wrong direction for five years now.” 

To change driver behaviour in relation to speeding, he believes that point-to-point average speed cameras should be introduced rather than fixed speed cameras.  

The week, from May 17-24, remembers the lives lost on our roads and highlights the everyday actions all road users can take to ‘drive so others survive’. 

“Road safety extends far beyond those who are just behind the wheel, said Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison. 

“It encompasses entire communities, on and off the road. From the early morning runner crossing the road at dawn, the children waiting at the school bus stop, to the person cycling to work. You don’t need to be behind the wheel to be at risk.”  

MEDIA: 

Ilsa Cunningham | Trish Doyle MP | (02) 4751 3298, bluemountains@parliament.nsw.gov.au