Easter long weekend marred by crashes, drink and drug driving

NSW Police topped the nation, handing out a whopping 14,564 fines between April 6 and April 10.

Despite enforcing double demerit points, 5005 drivers were caught speeding, 326 were charged with drink driving offences and 311 were nabbed for using a mobile phone.

There were 335 major crashes across the state, including seven fatalities.

Victoria Police issued 7741 fines.

Queensland police handed out 3942 fines while 320 were issued by ACT authorities.

There were 16 fatalities on Australia's roads across the Easter long weekend.

NSW recorded 335 major crashes and Queensland had 76 road incidents that caused injuries.

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Many states have had a shocking start to the year on the roads, with Victoria's 89 lives lost marking a 25 per cent increase on the five-year average.

NSW has had 95 road fatalities in 2023 so far, five more than this time last year.

The ACT has recorded two fatal crashes and there have been 66 lives lost on Tasmanian roads.

NSW Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said some drivers weren't getting the message.

"It seems as though people just continue to drive recklessly on our roads under the false impression that they are safe from any road trauma," she said.

"To keep yourselves and the rest of the community safe, drivers must continue to abide by the road rules and take breaks when tired."

NSW's northern region - which includes the Hunter Valley, Tweed-Byron and Newcastle districts - was the worst for speeding and drink driving in the state across the long weekend.

There police picked up 1400 speed infringements and 105 drink drivers.

This includes a man who allegedly crashed into the front yard of a home in Coomba Park, north of Newcastle.

He allegedly blew five times the legal blood alcohol limit with a reading of .255.

In South Australia, police caught six drivers with a reading more than five times the legal limit.

This included two drivers who blew .291 - nearly six times over.

"This is a selfish act, which puts road users' lives at risks and is simply avoidable," South Australia Police Inspector Damien Eichner said.

Victoria Police caught 231 drink drivers and 175 drug drivers, while Queensland authorities detected 181 drink drivers and 182 under the influence of drugs.

In the ACT, police picked up five drink drivers and two drug drivers.

About 50 drivers were caught in unregistered vehicles and 117 fined for speeding.