First Christmas road death for NSW

A man has died, 26 people have been charged with drink driving offences and more than 1000 people have been caught speeding in the first day of the NSW Christmas road toll period.

The 22-year-old man crashed his car south of Coolatai in northern NSW at 9pm on Friday, according to police.

The car caught fire and emergency services were unable to revive the man who died at the scene.

Earlier in the day, a 56-year-old unlicensed driver was charged with high range drink driving after he crashed at an intersection in Orange.

Meanwhile, more than 1100 people across the state have been charged with speeding on the first day of Operation Safe Arrival, which will run between December 21 and January 1.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said he was disappointed to see such "reckless" behaviour on the state's roads.

A man and a woman were both critically injured in a crash near Wagga Wagga, and are expected to be flown to Canberra Hospital on Saturday.