UPDATE: Police are sounding the alarm over seatbelt use following a series of tragic crashes during the recent Christmas and New Year holiday period. Investigations reveal that a significant number of victims were reportedly not wearing seatbelts, raising urgent safety concerns.
Inspector Jason Bush of the Western Plains Sector confirmed that officers attended four fatal crashes in the region, stating, “Of all those crashes, they could have been avoided.” He emphasized the critical role that seatbelts play in enhancing survival rates in such incidents.
Among the fatalities, a 24-year-old man lost his life in a single-vehicle accident in Collarenebri. Another victim, a woman in her 20s, died when her SUV veered off the road and collided with a tree at Mendooran. A man in his 20s also perished in a rollover crash in Forbes, where he was ejected from the vehicle. Additionally, a fatal incident occurred along the Golden Highway near Mugga View Road, located 15 kilometers east of Dubbo, on December 19, 2025.
The police warnings follow the conclusion of the Christmas-New Year road safety operation on January 4, 2026, which lasted for 17 days across New South Wales. During this period, authorities conducted extensive enforcement activities, including over 16,000 breath tests in the Orana Midwestern area alone. Alarmingly, 29 individuals were charged with drink-driving offenses, while 69 drivers were found to have illicit substances in their systems.
Inspector Bush highlighted other major concerns, particularly regarding speeding. “A total of 194 speeding offences were detected across the Orana and Midwestern areas,” he reported, adding that 1281 speeding infringements were recorded throughout the Western Region, including Bathurst, Orange, and Dubbo. Additionally, there were 123 drink driving charges and 314 positive drug-driving tests, alongside 109 major crashes.
On December 26, 2025, Chifley Police District officers apprehended a motorcycle rider traveling at 159 kilometers per hour in a 60 km zone. The 25-year-old driver was charged with reckless driving and issued a court notice for a hearing scheduled on February 11, 2026.
Despite the holiday operation’s conclusion, police will continue their enforcement efforts through the school holiday period and into the upcoming Australia Day weekend. Inspector Bush urged drivers to take personal responsibility for their actions on the roads, stating, “We’re just reminding drivers to curb their own behavior and be responsible.”
As the investigation into these fatal crashes continues, authorities stress the importance of seatbelt usage. The tragic consequences of ignoring this simple safety measure have led to a renewed call for vigilance among all drivers and passengers.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. Share this urgent message to help spread awareness and prevent further tragedies on our roads.
