Dangerous drivers including street racers and those who record images of crash victims are targets in a road crime crackdown.
Responding to a NSW Law Reform Commission report, the state government will introduce legislation creating new offences for dangerous driving and hit-and-runs causing actual bodily harm.
Under proposed laws, unlawful street racing will become an aggravated factor for dangerous driving offences.
The legislation will also address those who intentionally record and share images of road crash victims, introducing penalties of up to two years' imprisonment.
Dangerous driving will be punishable by up to three years' imprisonment, or five years if there are aggravating circumstances.
A new offence of failing to stop and assist after a crash causing actual bodily harm will also be punishable by up to three years' imprisonment.
The state's peak road crime victims' advocacy group called it a step in the right direction.
"The law reform report has been going on for some time, and it's about time that we started taking road crime seriously," Road Trauma Support Group NSW co-founder and deputy chair Duncan Wakes-Miller told AAP.
"But there's a long way to go. There's a lot more to be done."
Mr Wakes-Miller lost 17-year-old son Barney in a fatal crash in 2020.
The driver responsible, a schoolmate of Barney's, walked free with a minor road traffic infringement.
"You're seeing a legislative system that has favoured people who've broken the law, rather than served us effectively (with) legislation to protect the public from road trauma," Mr Wakes-Miller said.
"There's a lot of people who are getting away with vehicular homicide at the moment and causing serious injuries on the road, and the Minns government is beginning to take this seriously."
According to the NSW Centre for Road Safety, 271 people have died on the road to date this year, an increase from 261 in the same period in 2025.
Hospitalisations from serious injuries related to road incidents have also increased.
"Every life lost on our roads is one too many, and the impact of road trauma is felt by families and communities long after a crash," Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said.
"These changes will strengthen our ability to hold dangerous drivers to account, while recognising the serious and lasting harm their actions can cause to others."
Australian Associated Press
