New research conducted by the NRMA has identified Northern NSW roads among the worst in the State, with death and injuries from road trauma in the Mid Coast local government area alone costing nearly $650 million between 2014 and 2018.
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The $637,600,744 figure sees the Mid Coast rate as the most costly LGA for road trauma in Northern NSW and the fifth most costly in regional NSW.
NRMA spokesperson, Peter Koury, said the concerning statistics highlighted to the State and Federal governments where stimulus spending could be prioritised to help save lives, boost regional economies and support regional tourism after the COVID-19 restrictions passed.
"The Australian and NSW Governments are right to look to infrastructure spending to help Australia get back on its feet and this research by the NRMA sheds some valuable light on those communities that have borne the brunt of the economic cost of deaths and injuries," Mr Khoury said.
"Fixing regional roads will save lives, provide a much needed boost to regional economies and give greater access to regional tourism destinations, particularly as we emerge from COVID-19 travel restrictions.
"Northern NSW has always been a top destination for holidays, and with the international travel restrictions to remain in place for some time, domestic locations will rise even further in popularity. We need to make sure tourists and locals are driving on the safest and most efficient roads possible."
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The NRMA analysed the crash history of regional and metropolitan LGAs between 2014 and 2018 based on the number of people per region and the number of kilometres of road in the respective LGAs.
The crash data showed that two-thirds (66%) of deaths on the State's roads occurred in regional areas.
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