Rider safety key focus of King's Birthday traffic operation after tragic weekend
Thursday, 05 June 2025 12:06:00 PM
Police are urging motorcyclists to drive safety this long weekend after four riders lost their lives and two teenagers were injured in a three-day period last week.
Four men and two teenagers were involved in fatal or serious crashes across the state between 8.45am on Thursday 29 May 2025 and 2am on Sunday 1 June 2025.
This brings the number of motorcyclists killed on NSW roads to 36.
The NSW Police Force will launch a statewide police operation to target drivers and riders speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue, and distracted driving, to prevent road trauma during the King’s Birthday long weekend.
The operation will commence at 12am on Friday 6 June 2025 and conclude at 11.59pm on Monday 9 June 2025. Double demerit points will apply for the duration of the operation.
Police are urging motorists and riders to drive safely and will target traffic offences with the aim of preventing serious crashes and deaths.
Police from all specialist areas, police area commands and police districts will support the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, with extended patrols across metropolitan and regional NSW. This includes support of officers from general duties, the Public Order and Riot Squad, the Operations Support Group, the Mounted Unit, PolAir and Licensing Police.
There have been 157 lives lost this year, which is 14 more fatalities than this time last year.
During the June long weekend traffic operation last year there were two fatalities.
Across the state this year to Saturday 31 May 2025, police issued more than 170,300 traffic infringement notices including 75,417 speed infringements, conducted 1,561,310 breath tests with 5,351 people charged with drink-driving, conducted 83,318 drug tests, and recorded 5,179 positive drug detections. Police attended 16,741 major crashes.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley MP said as we head into the King’s Birthday long weekend, we want every driver to stop and think: the decisions made on the road could mean the difference between life and death.
“Long weekends are meant for rest and time with our loved ones – not tragedy. But every year, we see lives lost in crashes that could have been avoided. Behind each of those deaths is a shattered family, a devastated community and emergency workers facing trauma no one should have to witness,” Minister Catley said.
“Driving recklessly isn’t brave or bold – it’s selfish. Whether it’s speeding, driving under the influence, or picking up your phone behind the wheel, the consequences can be catastrophic and irreversible.
“This long weekend, make smart choices so you and those around you make it home safely. One bad decision can cause a lifetime of pain – don’t let that be your legacy this weekend.”
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said all motorists had a responsibility to make safe decisions to ensure everyone returned home safely.
“One bad decision on the road can cost you more than double demerits – it could cost a life,” Minister Aitchison said.
“Speed is the number one cause of crashes on NSW roads. In fact, so far in 2025, one third of deaths on our roads has involved speeding as a factor.
“Every road user has a responsibility to be vigilant, drive safely and follow the road rules, not just during the long weekend, but at all times.
“Double demerits are in place to deter drivers from making decisions that put lives at risk when our roads are busy with people travelling around NSW.
“There are simple things everyone can do to help make our roads safer. That includes staying under the speed limit and driving to the conditions, wearing a seatbelt, never driving when tired, not using a mobile phone while driving, having a Plan B before drinking and never, ever driving if affected by drugs or alcohol.”
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, said while each of the causes of the fatal motorcycle crashes last weekend were still under investigation, it brought home the reality that riders were more vulnerable on the road.
“Following the tragic events of last weekend, where four motorbike riders lost their lives, we are reminding riders to make good decisions, be seen and anticipate hazards, drive to the conditions and wear the appropriate gear,” Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
“Police will be out on the roads in an effort to deter all motorists from speeding, getting behind the wheel while alcohol or drug affected, and from being distracted or tired.
“Driving a car or truck and riding a motorbike is a complex task and whenever we do a complex task, we need to focus so that we don't make mistakes.
“No death on our roads is acceptable and we want any passenger in the vehicle to call out bad driving because speaking up could prevent a tragedy.
“Each death is not just a number – it is someone’s loved one. We don’t want vacant seats at a dinner table. These are all preventable deaths so don’t be complacent when driving.”
Plan your trip by downloading the Live Traffic NSW app, visiting livetraffic.com or calling 132 701, or using the Transport for NSW journey planning tool myjourneynsw.info.?
Members of the public are urged to report motorists engaged in dangerous driving to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.