This year's Rural Road Safety Month was launched with the sobering message that NSW motorists are more likely to crash on country roads.
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Of the more-than 200 deaths on the state's roads in the year so far, nearly 150 occurred in the country.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, said with country roads accounting for more than two-thirds of all fatalities and more than one-third of all serious injuries on the state's roads, motorists are urged to rethink their driving habits.
"Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy, especially for the victim's family and friends, but it also has a ripple effect on the local community," Mr Toole said.
"In small country communities, it's not uncommon for first responders who arrive at a crash and the medical teams who try to save the lives of the drivers and passengers to know the victims.
"Too often, people think it's okay for them to quickly check a text, to drive faster than the speed limit because they know the road or they get behind the wheel when they're tired. It's not.
"The message is clear: don't drive tired. Don't text while driving. Definitely don't drive while under the influence. And please wear your seatbelt no matter what."
Rural Road Safety Month runs for the duration of August and is a national awareness campaign promoting regional and rural road safety month. More information can be found at arsf.com.au.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said at the launch that motorists and riders playing an important role in driving down the road toll.
"Road crashes claimed the lives of 223 people in NSW so far this year, including 147 on country roads and five more than the same time last year," Mr McCormack said.
"We know one in three Australian drivers are more likely to undertake risky behaviour on rural roads because they believe they're either less likely to get caught or perceive there to be fewer dangers."
