Country people make up around a third of NSW’s population, but over the past five years deaths on country roads have made up 67 per cent of the total lives lost on our roads.
The NSW Government recently released its 2026 Road Safety Action Plan outlining a series of important new road safety initiatives to reduce the road toll on the state’s roads.
New targets to halve deaths and reduce serious injuries will underpin a commitment to spend an additional $250 million on road safety.
In 2021, 270 people lost their lives on NSW roads, 14 fewer than in 2020 and the lowest end‑of‑year road toll since 1923.
PCYC NSW Driver Education Specialist, Matthew Irvine said the new road safety initiatives are good news for all young drivers and their families living in regional areas.
"People living in regional NSW usually spend more time on the road, driving for longer and at higher speeds," he said.
"These challenges mean young people living in the country have extra barriers to remaining safe on the road.
“This funding boost will build on existing programs, such as the Saving Lives on Country Roads Initiative, which are working hard to make a difference to road safety in regional communities.
“At PCYC NSW we support all initiatives that make it easier for young people living in regional areas to get their drivers licence and learn how to be safe on the road. PCYC is the biggest provider of the Safer Drivers Course in NSW, teaching learner drivers under 25 to develop safe driving skills and prepare for driving solo. We look forward to continuing our work with young people and helping them to drive safely. Safer roads and safer drivers are good for everyone.”
Minister for Regional Transport Sam Farraway said rural and regional NSW would continue to be a key focus under the Plan.
Important new initiatives include a new online Learner Licence Education and Testing Platform to improve interactive learning and access to a licence, and the further expansion of the Driver Licencing Access Program to support more disadvantaged people to become safely licenced.
More information about the 2026 Road Safety Action Plan is available at the Transport for NSW Centre for Road Safety website.
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