Local drivers are being urged to slow down this Rural Road Safety Month, with more than two-thirds of the lives lost on NSW roads occurring in the country.
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Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said preliminary figures show 17 people were killed or injured in crashes on Oxley roads in 2019, while 57 were killed and 339 seriously injured in the five years from 2014/15 to 2018/19.
Ms Pavey said speeding was the most common factor for fatalities in Oxley during this five-year period, contributing to about 56 per cent of people killed.
"Every one of these deaths and serious injuries has had a devastating impact on families, friends and communities," Ms Pavey said.
"Whether you're a driver, passenger, rider or pedestrian, every decision you make on the road matters and we all have a responsibility to make safe choices."
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole last week launched Rural Road Safety Month, an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, with campaign advocate, NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler.
"Every time you get behind the wheel, the choices we make can have fatal consequences," Mr Toole said.
"Every life lost or serious injury suffered represents a family, a friend and a community that is impacted. Speeding remains the biggest contributor to road fatalities, accounting for 39 per cent of fatalities last year."