World · East Asia & Pacific · 15 hrs ago
Byron Shire has NSW’s fourth-highest drink-driving rate
Byron Shire recorded 727 drink-driving offences per 100,000 people in the year to June 2026, the fourth-highest rate among New South Wales local government areas.
That rate was four times the state average, although the region’s rate is falling and is at a 10-year low.
Byron Bay and nearby towns are spread out, and limited bus services make it hard to travel at night.
Shire mayor Sarah Ndiaye says transport gaps contribute to drink-driving, while resident Angus Farand recalls surviving a crash involving a drunk driver.
A free Easter bus service carried more than 1,000 people, showing that demand for safe transport is high.
From December 6, the state government plans to add more than 670 weekly bus services in the region.
Byron Shire recorded NSW’s fourth-highest drink-driving offence rate in the year to June, at 727.1 offences per 100,000 people.
That rate was about four times the NSW average of 181 offences per 100,000 people.
The region’s rate is falling and is now at a 10-year low.
Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye and local resident Angus Farand said limited transport options contribute to drink-driving.
The NSW government said it was scheduling more than 670 extra weekly bus services in the region from December 6.
- Who
- Byron Shire recorded the rate; local residents and Mayor Sarah Ndiaye discussed the issue.
- What
- The shire had NSW’s fourth-highest drink-driving offence rate, at 727.1 offences per 100,000 people.
- When
- In the year to June; the article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Byron Shire, in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
- Why
- Farand and Ndiaye attributed the rate to limited transport options, particularly between towns and at night.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Four teenage boys were killed in a crash on nearby Broken Head Road, prompting changes to provisional licence rules on under-age passengers.
Byron Shire recorded 727.1 drink-driving offences per 100,000 people.
The council provided free bus services throughout the shire, which were used by more than 1,000 people.
More than 670 extra weekly bus services in the region were scheduled to start.
- Byron Shire rate
- 727.1 drink-driving offences per 100,000 people
- NSW average
- 181 offences per 100,000 people
- State ranking
- Fourth-highest among NSW local government areas
- Easter bus use
- More than 1,000 people
- Planned additional services
- More than 670 weekly bus services from December 6
What people are saying
We smacked into some trees … I am so, so grateful to say that no one lost their lives, no one was gravely injured.
A $5 bus fare in and out is manageable, but a $50 each-way trip [using Uber] isn’t – particularly in a cost-of-living crisis.