While some hope to see changes to driver behaviour outlined in the new state government Road Safety Action Plan for 2026, others say it is the infrastructure and resources at the heart of the problem.

Wagga City Council Road Safety Officer Emma Stanford-Reynolds said speeding was the biggest issue facing the region's road users.

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"The focus needs to be on changing people's dynamics, and at the end of the day, a person behind the wheel is the one making those choices about road safety," she said.

"The biggest decision needing changing is speed, but also driver fatigue is increasing rapidly as a result of people's lifestyles and desire to travel regionally."

Between 2015 and 2019, Transport for NSW records indicate 21 people were killed and 323 were seriously injured in road accidents across Wagga.

To put that into perspective, the numbers are equivalent to roughly 73 per cent of the residents of Gobbagombalin, with speed a factor in 43 per cent of fatalities, and fatigue a factor in 33 per cent.

Mrs Stanford-Reynolds said drink driving was another safety risk that needed to be minimised, closely followed by mobile phone usage.

"Mobile phones are a huge distraction, so we really need to hone in on that, push the message of throwing your phone in the glovebox when you hop in the car and take away the temptation, you just don't need it for driving," she said.

The road safety advocate said rural road users should take a particular interest in the plan.

"Seventy-four per cent of fatal crashes happen on country roads, so we need to factor that in to a plan," Mrs Stanford-Reynolds said.

"Be a part of something that affects you daily, whether you're a pedestrian, in a car, riding a bike, or anything else on the road, you are impacted so have your say."

Wagga residents can voice their feedback on the new plan at Transport for NSW's community consultation evening happening on Tuesday at the Mercure from 6pm to 8pm.

The new plan will be based on the proven Safe Systems approach to road safety, recognising that infrastructure, vehicles, speed, and drivers cannot be viewed in isolation, but rather their interactions need to be considered.

Wagga Neighbourhood Watch president Wayne Deaner said he felt infrastructure was key to improving road safety.

"More lighting around pedestrian crossings would be a huge benefit, it's quite concerning at the moment, particularly around Bourke Street," he said.

"The other factor is cameras, I feel like mobile phone detection cameras are a fantastic thing to have, but also something like the Safe City camera network to monitor not only road behaviour but also act as assistance into criminal activity investigations."

Other objectives to improve safety as part of the Road Safety Action Plan 2026 will focus on:

Transport for NSW deputy secretary for safety, environment and regulation Tara McCarthy said the new plan would build on previous success.

"This next plan is an opportunity to build on this great work and drive us further towards our goal of zero deaths on our roads," she said.

"Country people make up only a third of NSW's population but last year deaths on country roads made up two thirds of our road toll.

"When it comes to saving lives on country roads the community's view is so important."

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