Fed: National road toll remains at 20
SYDNEY, Dec 26 AAP - No new fatalities were reported on Australia's roads today, buta spate of serious accidents in NSW left some people spending the Christmas break in hospitalwards.
The national holiday toll remained at 20, with the latest fatality a middle-aged womanwho died in a single vehicle accident in Western Australia early yesterday morning.
In Victoria, a man in his 20s died in a single vehicle accident near Hamilton in thestate's west about 4am (AEDT) yesterday.
NSW has been fatality free since Monday, but rain, combined with driver frustration,contributed to a series of major crashes today, particularly in the country.
The worst was on the Pacific Highway about 20km north of Kempsey this morning whenthree cars collided leaving 12 people injured, five of them seriously.
Traffic Services Commander Ron Sorrenson said although fatalities were down, the situationcould change any time and he warned against complacency.
The NSW Ambulance Service said it attended more than 20 serious accidents on BoxingDay morning as rain fell, playing havoc with traffic.
Queensland leads the national Christmas toll with seven dead.
State traffic support branch Superintendent Tim Fenlon said despite a terrible startto the holiday period, Queensland's roads had been relatively safe.
"Apart from a horrific start we've maintained a fairly good level, but there is stilla lot left in the campaign," he said.
Five people have died in Victoria, four in NSW, three in South Australia and one inWestern Australia.
No road fatalities have so far been reported in Tasmania, the ACT, or the Northern Territory.
(Eds: National road toll figures are for the period 0001 December 20 to 2359 January5 AEDT. Some states and territories have different periods).
AAP smb/las/rp/ph/de
KEYWORD: TOLL NATIONAL NIGHTLEAD
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