The NSW Police Force is celebrating 100 years of commitment to road safety initiatives, honouring the dedication of its traffic officers and exploring new technologies to further reduce road trauma.

This year marks 100 years of Road Safety in the NSW Police Force and 50 years since the establishment of what is now known as the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command.

To commemorate the milestone, more than 50 NSW Police vehicles, including 24 motorcycles and 11 privately-owned historic police cars, will drive in convoy from Sydney Motorsport Park at Eastern Creek to the Sydney Opera House today (Monday, 12 May 2025).

The anniversary coincides with national and international road safety week.

There have been major advances in technology and vehicles in the past 100 years, with the introduction of seatbelts and random breath tests recognised as key developments that played a significant role in reducing road trauma.

(Random Breath Testing machine 1983. Photo: supplied)

In 1975, there were 1288 recorded fatal crashes, which reduced to 620 in 1995 and 326 in 2015.

There have been 131 deaths so far in 2025, which Assistant Commissioner David Driver, Commander of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, said was “still 131 too many”.

Today, highway patrol officers, crash investigators, and other specialist staff use state-of-the-art equipment in their work, and the Command continues to pursue further technology to improve road safety.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said she looked forward to seeing how this technology advanced in the coming years as she reflected on the NSW Police Force’s significant milestone.

“For a century, what is now the NSW Police Force Traffic & Highway Patrol has stood as a constant presence on our roads saving lives and keeping communities safe with a dedication that often goes unseen but never unappreciated,” Minister Catley said.

(An AJS police motorcycle in 1926. Photo: supplied)

“Marking 100 years of road safety in the NSW Police Force is not just about looking back - it’s about recognising the thousands of officers whose grit, discipline, and quiet courage have protected countless lives from tragedy on our roads, with some themselves making the ultimate sacrifice.

“This centenary is a chance to honour a special legacy - 100 years of service, from back streets to highways, with every kilometre patrolled helping to save lives.”

Commissioner Karen Webb said NSW Police had seen great advancements in technology over the years to keep the community safe.

"For a century, the NSW Police Force has been a pillar of safety and security on our roads,” Commissioner Webb said.

“The dedicated men and women of what is now Traffic & Highway Patrol Command have for the past 100 years been committed to road safety. Their efforts have helped save countless lives, and they continue to protect our communities.

“At one stage during my career, I held the role of Commander of Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, and I am extraordinarily proud to be here today to celebrate this significant milestone.”

(Amy Milgate and Gladys Johnson, the first uniformed female police officers in 1948. Photo: supplied)

Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said keeping the people of NSW safe on our roads was one of our highest priorities.

“I want to thank the NSW Police for the critical role in road safety that they have played for 100 years,” Minister Aitchison said.

“As first responders at crash scenes, in traffic management and in enforcement, the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command is there for the NSW community on the frontline saving lives every day.”

Today’s convoy will see vehicles travel via the M7/M2 Motorway, Bradfield Highway and Cahill Expressway, before arriving at the Sydney Opera House forecourt. Police will then recreate photos of Traffic & Highway Patrol cars and officers that were taken at the same location.

The first photo dates back to the years between 1938 - 1940, and the second was taken in 1996.

National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, partnering with road safety organisations and government.

The week, which runs from Sunday, 11 May to 18 May 2025, highlights the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.

Significant milestones in road safety:

• 1925 - NSW Police created the Public Safety Bureau.

• 1937 - Speed limits were legislated.

• 1954 - Speed detection radars were first used.

• 1968 - A blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.08 was implemented.

• 1969 - Demerit points were introduced.

• 1971 - Introduction of compulsory wearing of seatbelts. In 1970, there were 1309 recorded fatal crashes. This fell to 1092 in 1972, with the decreases likely attributed to the introduction of seatbelts.

• 1975 – The Highway Patrol Command was established, with more emphasis placed on deterring traffic offences, including distinctly marked, highly visible vehicles were introduced with light bars and sirens fitted to the roof.

• 1980 - A blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.05 was implemented.
• 1982 - Stationary random breath tests were introduced. There was a significant drop in fatal crashes recorded in 1982 from 1253 deaths to 966 in 1983.

• 1987 - Mobile random breath testing was established. There was a decrease in fatal crashes recorded from 1029 in 1986 to 959 in 1987.

• 1990 - Speed cameras were introduced. There was a decrease in fatal crashes from 960 in 1989 to 797 in 1990.

• 1997 - Double demerits came into effect.

• 2001 - 40km/h school zones were introduced.

• 2005 - Automatic number plate recognition technology, which is now fitted to all marked Highway Patrol vehicles across the state, was introduced. The technology advanced to reading six number plates per second in 2009.

• 2007 - Roadside Drug Testing was introduced.

• 2024 - Random drug testing processes introduced where a driver who tests positive for an illicit substance during an initial swab test will be arrested and undergo an immediate roadside oral test. This replaced the former practice of transporting drivers to a police station - saving officers more than 55,000 policing hours in enforcement. In 2024, NSW Police conducted more than 3.4 million random tests for alcohol and drugs. When averaged out over the year, it represents more than 9,500 tests each day across NSW.