After 29 fatal crashes in the northern region, including the Hunter, so far this year it’s hardly a surprise that police have taken action to prevent more tragedies.

While not all serious crashes are caused by speeding, drink driving or fatigue, these avoidable risk factors are often involved. It’s a sad reflection of society that the impact of road tragedies, consistent police warnings and hefty punishments are not enough to stop people making poor choices behind the wheel.

The fact that police have had to launch a major operation involving the PolAir helicopter and an increased presence of highway patrol cars in the Hunter to clamp down on speeding shows that the message about safe driving has not sunk in.

The prominence of P-plate drivers among those involved in serious and fatal crashes has been an enduring trend. Northern region highway patrol Chief Inspector Trent Le-Merton said several crashes across the region this year had involved young drivers.

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Tragedies on the road affect many more people than just those immediately involved in the crash.

They change the lives of family members and friends of those who die or are injured and can have a profound effect on the emergency crews who witness these heartbreaking scenes.

Given that deaths on Hunter roads have almost doubled this year compared to last year, it’s clear that something needs to be done urgently to address the problem.

However it will take a conscious effort from all motorists, not just a police crackdown, to make a real difference and reduce the unnecessary loss of lives on the region’s roads.