Eight people were killed on NSW roads during the Labour Day long weekend. Photo: File.
Eight people have been killed on the state’s roads in just four days, including three people in southern NSW.
It’s left police frustrated with drivers not getting the message, prompting a plea for motorists to think of others, especially as families continued to travel for school holidays.
“Just because the [long weekend] operation has concluded doesn’t mean the messaging is any different. We still need people to obey the road rules and take necessary breaks to keep themselves and the rest of the community safe,” Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King, said.
The victims included an 83-year-old woman who was reportedly struck by a ute on the Barton Highway in Murrumbateman.
Emergency services were called just after 6:30 pm on Friday (30 September), but the woman died at the scene.
The 25-year-old male driver of a Mitsubishi Triton ute was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Another life lost was a 17-year-old boy who was driving along the Kings Highway near Bungendore in a Nissan X-Trail on Sunday (2 October) afternoon.
The people in the other vehicle, a 71-year-old man and his 66-year-old wife, were freed from their Toyota Kluger before they were taken to Canberra Hospital suffering from fractures.
The third incident was along Stoney Park Road, Burrumbuttock, where a Ford Falcon sedan left the road and hit a tree between 1 am and 8 am on Sunday.
The 22-year-old male driver, and the only person inside, died at the scene.
Overall across southern NSW there were 769 speed infringements issued and 35 major crashes. More than 18,000 breath tests were conducted in the area.
Another incident of note was on Mary Street in Goulburn, where police said they saw a Mercedes sedan swerving through lanes just after 12 am on Sunday.
Officers said the 46-year-old male driver returned a positive roadside breath test before he was arrested.
When back at the station it’s alleged he returned a breath analysis of 0.206.
He was charged with high-range PCA and driving while disqualified.
With more wet and dangerous weather forecast across the state for the rest of the week, police urged all motorists to take care and heed the warnings.
“Do not drive through flood waters and always obey road closure signs when you see them, they are there for your own protection. We have seen too many incidents recently involving people ignoring warning signs, resulting in a tragic outcome,” Act Asst Commissioner King said.
“While a detour may be inconvenient, it is not worth your life – listen to emergency services and do not attempt to drive through any flooded causeway, you have no clue how deep the water may be or what debris may be underneath.”
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