URGENT UPDATE: Police are raising alarms over seatbelt use following a series of fatal crashes during the recent holiday season. Investigations into these incidents have revealed that many victims were allegedly not properly restrained, leading to avoidable tragedies.
Authorities confirmed that during the Christmas and New Year period, police attended four fatal crashes in the Western Region of New South Wales. Inspector Jason Bush of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Western Plains Sector stated, “Of all those crashes, they could have been avoided.” The message is clear: wearing seatbelts significantly increases the chances of surviving a crash.
One of the tragic incidents involved a 24-year-old man who died in a single-vehicle accident in Collarenebri. Another victim, a woman in her 20s, lost her life when her SUV veered off the highway and struck a tree near Mendooran. A 20-something man was killed in a crash at Forbes, where his car rolled and ejected him. Additionally, a fatal incident occurred along the Golden Highway, 15 kilometres east of Dubbo, on December 19, 2025.
As investigations continue, authorities are focusing on restraint use in these fatal accidents. The call for heightened awareness comes as the Christmas-New Year road safety operation wrapped up on January 4, which lasted for 17 days across New South Wales. During this operation, police conducted over 16,000 breath tests in the Orana Midwestern area alone, resulting in 29 drink-driving charges.
The data also revealed a troubling number of drivers under the influence of drugs, with 69 people detected driving with illicit substances in their system. Speeding was another major concern, particularly on rural roads, leading to 194 speeding offences recorded in the Orana and Midwestern areas.
At 1:30 PM on December 26, 2025, police on patrol at Mt Panorama, Bathurst, stopped a motorcycle traveling at 159 kilometers per hour in a 60 km zone. The 25-year-old driver faces multiple charges, including reckless driving.
Despite the conclusion of the holiday operation, Inspector Bush stated that enforcement efforts will continue through the school holiday period and into the Australia Day weekend. “We’re just reminding drivers to obviously curb their own behaviour and be responsible for their behaviour on the road,” he emphasized.
The implications of these findings are profound. Police are urging drivers to recognize the critical importance of seatbelt use. “The wearing of seatbelts can help your chances of surviving these fatal crashes,” Bush reiterated.
As families reflect on the holiday season, the message is clear: buckle up for safety. Authorities will continue to monitor road conditions and enforce traffic laws rigorously, aiming to prevent further tragedies on the roads. Stay tuned for more updates as police investigations unfold.
