A total of 520 lives were lost on New South Wales and Victorian roads in 2022.
The NSW government said 288 people died on the roads, up 13 from 275 in 2021 while Victoria recorded 240 deaths, an increase of seven from 233 in 2021.
In NSW, speeding was listed as the main factor in more than 40 per cent of all road deaths last year, with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs the key factor in 20 per cent and fatigue contributing to 14 per cent of deaths.
199 deaths occurred on country roads in 2022, up from 193 in 2021, and 88 took place in metropolitan areas, up from 81 in 2021.
Across Victoria, speeding, drink or drug driving and riding an unauthorised motorcycle were the leading contributors in road deaths.
134 fatalities occurred on regional Victorian roads, an increase from the 119 deaths in 2021, while 106 motorists died on metropolitan roads, a decrease from 114 in 2021.
In a statement on January 2, Tara McCarthy, deputy secretary of safety, environment and regulation at Transport for NSW, said the government is committed to reducing the road toll to zero by 2050.
“The road toll isn’t just a number. It’s someone’s mum, dad, son, daughter, partner, or friend,” Ms McCarthy said.
Victorian Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne echoed those sentiments, calling the statistics a tragedy.
The Victorian Government also aims to halve the number of road fatalities by 2030, as outlined in its Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and Action Plan.
“Our hearts go out to all those impacted by road trauma — we can’t accept that anyone should lose their life, or have it permanently changed, as a result of getting behind the wheel,” Ms Horne said.