NRMA finds that the public backs more police as NSW road toll skyrockets

The NRMA survey shows strong support for the work of NSW Police in reducing the state’s road toll as the number of deaths in 2023 skyrockets to a catastrophic 253 – an increase of 60 on the same time last year.

The survey of 3,305 members across NSW and the ACT found almost two-thirds (65%) believed visible marked police cars were the most effective way to tackle bad driver behaviour. An additional 10 per cent supported unmarked police cars.

There is overwhelming public support for NSW Police with 90 per cent of respondents saying there should be more visible policing on our roads.

NSW finds itself in the midst of a road safety crisis with a 31 per cent increase on road deaths compared to the same time last. The NRMA is also hugely concerned with the national road toll of 721 deaths as of the end of July– a seven per cent increase on the same period last year.

According to those surveyed, the top five methods for tackling bad driver behaviour are:

1. Visible marked police cars 65%
2. Combined speed and red light cameras 11%
3. Unmarked police cars 10%
4. Mobile speed cameras 7%
5. Fixed speed cameras 4%

The research also found the top five road safety issues were:

1. Speeding 59%
2. Drink driving 58%
3. Illegal phone use while driving 55%
4. Aggressive driving 50%
5. Drug driving 48%

The NRMA has released the research in the midst of the state’s worsening road safety crisis and in the lead-up to next week’s NSW Budget.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said the latest research supported the NRMA’s long held view that investing in more Police on the state’s roads was critical to saving lives.

“2023 has been a horrific year on the state’s roads so far and the NRMA wants to see more clearly marked visible Police across the road network all-year-round,” Mr Khoury said.

“We cannot allow the carnage to continue – we are facing a national crisis with over 1,200 deaths in the first seven months alone.

“Governments must invest in effective enforcement and improving our roads while individual drivers have to take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel.”