Road safety warning after five NSW deaths

The deaths of five people within 20 hours in separate accidents on NSW roads has prompted police to urge motorists to take extra care.

The deaths occurred between 10pm (AEDT) on Sunday and 6pm on Monday when a four-year-old boy suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a 4WD vehicle at Macmasters Beach on the NSW Central Coast

On Sunday night an 87-year-old woman died after her car collided with another vehicle at Sunshine Bay on the NSW south coast and on Monday an 82-year-old female passenger died after a two-car collision at Matraville in Sydney's southeast.

Also on Monday a 38-year-old man died after his motorcycle collided with a utility at Wetherill Park in Sydney's west and a 48-year-old truck driver died after a collision involving two trucks on the Hume Highway near Yass.

NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said on Tuesday that 2014 had started on a positive note, with no fatalities in the first five days.

"But this has been followed by a very sad and disappointing 24 hours on NSW roads," he said.

"Five lives have been lost since Sunday night, five families are now mourning the loss of a loved one."

Mr Hartley said that while Christmas and New Year were over, there were still high volumes of traffic on the roads and police were urging all motorists to drive safely and responsibly.

"The worst job for any police officer is knocking on someone's door and telling them a loved one won't be coming home," he said.

Mr Hartley said drivers should be vigilant about the "fatal five" most common contributors to road accidents - speed, fatigue, drink- and drug-driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and not paying attention.