Motor crashes – Serious injuries and deaths by road user, gender and age
Too many people are injured or die in motor crashes.
Transport for NSW collects regular statistics on serious injuries and deaths by road user, age, gender and other factors.
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Who was seriously injured?
Statistics are provided on a quarterly basis and compared with the previous year.
| December 2025 |
December 2024 |
Change % |
|
| Driver | 3,771 | 3,666 | +3% |
| Passenger | 1,315 | 1,224 | +7% |
| Motorcyclist | 3,473 | 3,194 | +9% |
| Pedestrian | 910 | 952 | -4% |
| Cyclist | 2,073 | 1,921 | +8% |
| Other | 615 | 602 | +2% |
| Total | 12,157 | 11,559 | +5% |
Fewer pedestrians were seriously injured while motorcyclists saw the biggest rise in injuries that year.
| December 2025 |
December 2024 | Change % |
|
| Male | 8,181 (67%) | 7,705 (67%) | +6% |
| Female | 3,970 (33%) | 3,853 (33%) | +3% |
| Total | 12,157 | 11,559 | +5% |
Men consistently make up two thirds of serious injuries in motor crashes. This has been the case for many years.
Serious injuries by age group, year ending December 2025
| Age group | December 2025 |
December 2024 | Change % |
| Under 16 |
1,267 | 1,023 | +2% |
| 17-25 | 2,355 | 2,229 | +6% |
| 26-39 |
2,471 | 2,337 | +6% |
| 40-49 |
1,524 | 1,453 | +5% |
| 50-69 | 2,778 | 2,856 | -3% |
| Over 70 | 1,698 | 1,648 | +3% |
| Total | 12,157 | 11,559 | +5% |
The biggest increases in serious injuries were for young people 17-39.
Who died in a motor crash?
Statistics on motor crash deaths are provided monthly and compared with the 3-year average, rather than the previous year.
Deaths by road user, year ending August 2026
| August 2026 |
3-Year average |
Change % |
|
| Driver | 163 | 153.3 | +6% |
| Passenger | 45 | 60.7 | -26% |
| Motorcyclist | 67 | 62.7 | +7% |
| Pedestrian | 58 | 49.0 | +18% |
| Cyclist | 16 | 7.3 | +118% |
| Total | 349 | 333.0 | +5% |
Cyclist deaths doubled during the year and fell for passengers.
| August 2026 |
3-Year average | Change % |
|
| Male | 263 (75%) | 254.0 (76%) | +4% |
| Female | 86 (25%) | 79.0 (24%) | +9% |
| Total | 349 | 333.0 | +5% |
Some 3 out of 4 deaths were men, while deaths of women rose 9%.
| Age group | August 2026 |
3-Year average | Change % |
| Under 16 |
13 | 19.0 | -32% |
| 17-25 | 60 | 69.0 | -13% |
| 26-39 |
70 | 64.6 | +8% |
| 40-49 |
40 | 36.3 | +10% |
| 50-69 | 91 | 80.4 | +13% |
| Over 70 | 75 | 63.7 | +18% |
| Total | 349 | 333.0 | +5% |
There was a sharp increase in deaths of over 70s, and the only decreases were for young people under 25.
Summary of deaths and injuries
- Rate of deaths per 100,000 population was 4.04 at August 2026. The peak rate was 5.0 per 100,000 in June 2016.
- Rate of serious injuries per 100,000 population was 141.5 at December 2025. The peak in December 2013 was 145.5 per 100,000.
- Total annual deaths and total serious injuries increased by 5%.
- Men continue to make up 3 out of 4 deaths and 2 out of 3 serious injuries.
- Cyclists saw increases in deaths and serious injuries during the past year.
Sources
All our information comes from Transport for NSW bulletins:
We provide a Claims Guide for people involved in road accidents. We do not give advice about claims.