A 52-year-old man from Ulladulla and a 32-year-old woman from Campbelltown were killed last Friday (February 23) in a head on accident on the Princes Highway at Jerrawangala.

Two separate highway accidents since Boxing Day have claimed the lives of seven people.

There has also been numerous serious accidents where motorists and their passengers have suffered major injuries.

“We are sick and tired of attending fatal accidents on the Princes Highway south of Nowra,” said the long-service emergency services member, who wished to remain anonymous.

“Something has to be done to upgrade the road. While not every accident is down to the road and certainly there is driver error, a dual carriageway would prevent a number of the serious head on accidents we have experienced of late.

“It might not have stopped last Friday’s terrible accident but having dual carriageway might have certainly reduced the death toll from two to one. However that is still one too many.”

The member recently travelled up the north coast and was stunned by the improvements and the amount of roadworks on the Pacific Highway.

“It is almost two dividing lanes all the way,” the member said.

“The Pacific Highway is going to be brilliant when finished. A number of towns have been bypassed.

“It’s time for the South Coast, and in particular the Princes Highway, to get some of that funding.”

The member believes since the Gerringong and Berry bypasses have been completed the stretch of road south of the Jervis Bay Road, where traffic reverts to single lanes would become more accident prone.

“When you look at the travelling time that has been cut off by Gerringong and Berry and once the Berry to Bomaderry section and Albion Park bypass are complete that section south of JB Road will become around two hours from Sydney - a known trouble time for drivers who start to become fatigued, lose concentration and get drousy,” the member said.

“We don't want any more fatalities. We can’t wait, something needs to be done now to try and alleviate any further deaths.

“I believe that major accidents now will be south of JB Road. Motorists get impatient on single lane carriageways and that’s when accidents happen.

“If the Princes Highway south of Jervis Bay Road was dual carriageway or at least had the wire safety barriers installed I believe it would at least go a long way to preventing serious head on accidents.

“We see the trauma of accidents. They are becoming more frequent, especially on the highway south of Jervis Bay Road. The accidents are becoming worse.

“And as our population grows it means more cars on the roads thus increasing the risk of accidents.

“It’s time for all levels of government to come together and fund these much needed improvements to the highway to save lives.”