Police in northern New South Wales have issued a stark safety warning to motorcycle riders following a series of tragic deaths, as the region's road toll continues to climb during the holiday period.
Devastating Spike in Motorcycle Fatalities
Newcastle Hunter Highway Patrol Chief Inspector Thomas Barnes has labelled motorcycle riders a high-risk user group, pleading with them to understand their vulnerability. There have been 115 road deaths in the northern region so far in 2025, a number that has risen since the start of the NSW Police Force's Operation Christmas and New Year.
Chief Inspector Barnes emphasised the lack of protection for riders compared to car occupants. "You don't have the protections available to you that users of cars have, and as such, you need to ride accordingly," he stated. Police are bracing for increased traffic on major thoroughfares during the school holidays and Christmas break.
A Tragic Sequence of Crashes
The warning comes after a particularly deadly period for motorcyclists in the region. In December alone, three riders have lost their lives:
- A 71-year-old man was killed on December 22 when his motorcycle lost control and crashed on the Pacific Highway south of Taree.
- On December 17, a 33-year-old man died in an ambulance following a collision with a four-wheel-drive at Windale.
- A 60-year-old man passed away in a Newcastle hospital in mid-December after a November crash involving a truck on Industrial Drive at Mayfield.
This follows a horror red-light crash at Adamstown Heights in late November that left two teenage riders with serious injuries.
Riders Urged to Know Their Limits
Chief Inspector Barnes urged all drivers to be vigilant and check for motorcycles in blind spots. He directed a critical message to riders themselves, warning against overestimating their skill. "Often we see people who may be inexperienced on a motorcycle that get carried away with the capability of their motorcycle to ride in a certain way but don't have the skill set to back it up," he explained. "And the consequences, again, are quite devastating when that happens."
The plea is backed by sobering statistics. A NSW government report revealed motorbike deaths in the state jumped by a alarming 34 per cent from 2023 to 2024.
With heavy holiday traffic expected to continue, police have reminded all road users that double demerit points remain in force until January 4. These apply to speeding, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences. Authorities are urging everyone travelling on the roads to remember their responsibilities to themselves and others.
