One death in National Christmas road toll

A woman has died in a car crash in Sydney's north, the first victim of the official Christmas and New Year road toll.

The 44-year-old smashed into a tree after losing control of her car at Turramurra on Tuesday afternoon.

She was found dead at the scene by emergency services.

People are being urged to drive safely as police across the country focus on dangerous driving.

Over the Christmas break in 2013, 28 lives were lost.

This year police are urging motorists to slow down, wear seatbelts, drive sober and be alert to the signs of fatigue and tiredness so that no more lives are lost.

The official Christmas and New Year road toll began on Tuesday and runs until midnight on Saturday 3 January.