In 2019 there were 352 people who lost their lives on NSW roads, with two thirds of the fatalities occurring on country roads.

“Any death on the roads is one death too many however we have seen significant reductions in a number of areas in 2019,” said Bernard Carlon, Executive Director of the NSW Centre for Road Safety.

“However 2019’s road toll has seen an emerging trend amongst a different group of road users – men aged 30 to 59 - with 115 dying on NSW roads, up by 13 on the previous year.”

These deaths represent families losing their father, uncle or brother. Communities losing their friend, colleague, team mate or club member.

Local statistics support this trend with 30 per cent of drivers in fatal and injury crashes in Narrandera Shire for the period 2014-2018 aged 30 to 59. Men in this age group account for the majority of road fatalities in NSW country areas. Despite this fact, this group of drivers are still likely to justify risky decisions when they get in the car.

“Our research tells us that men admit to taking more risks when they drive alone – especially speeding. In 2019 84 people died in speed related crashes where a man was driving alone,” continued Mr Carlon.

Despite the fact that the majority of fatalities on country roads are local residents, Transport for NSW research found country drivers often resist the notion that the way they drive puts themselves or others at risk. There is also a tendency for complacency, over confidence and lower perception of risk when driving on familiar roads.

While there are a number of unique factors contributing to higher risk on country roads – higher speeds, roadside hazards such as trees and embankments, longer travel distances and older vehicles – research shows that driver behaviour is still the most significant factor in crashes. Speeding, driver fatigue, drink driving and not wearing a seatbelt are more likely to contribute to country fatalities and serious injuries.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping our community, especially middle aged men, safe on the road. We need to challenge the perceptions and encourage safer driving behaviour.

We need to stop taking risks and stop accepting excuses to justify risky behaviours. We need to discourage drivers from driving a bit above the speed limit, driving tired, driving after drinking, driving when affected by drugs or not wearing a seatbelt.

If you live in the country, you are around four times more likely to die in a road crash than if you live in a metropolitan area. This is unacceptable. We need to make a change.