Police are urging drivers to take care on the state's roads this weekend and into Australia Day, after four people died in a 12-hour period on Hunter roads last weekend.
Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me page has been set up to raise money for the third - previously unidentified - person who died in the crash that claimed three lives and left a man in a critical condition at Muswellbrook.
Double demerit penalties came into force this morning and will be in effect until the end of Tuesday.
Newcastle-Hunter Traffic and Highway Patrol Acting Inspector Tim Pepper called for people to take care on the region's roads in the coming days - particularly in light of the tragic events of last Sunday.
"Over the weekend, we saw the devastation that fatal crashes can bring to small communities - with three people killed in one incident," Acting Inspector Pepper said on Thursday.
"Police will be saturating the rural and back roads, as well as focusing on the main highways and highly populated strips to ensure all drivers and pedestrians can go about their business in a safe and responsible manner.
"If you are choosing to celebrate this weekend with friends, remember to always have a Plan B - never drink and drive.
"Always be aware of your surroundings and drive to the conditions, take regular breaks and do not drive if you're fatigued, and do not have any distractions within the vehicle."
Eighteen-year-old Tiarni Simpson died when a Toyota Landcruiser - in which she was a passenger - went down an embankment and into the Allyn River on Sunday morning.
Then, on Sunday night, a head-on crash on a rural road at Muswellbrook claimed the lives of rideshare company owner Robert Baker, 44, and one of his passengers - 62-year-old school teacher Tracey Strachan.
Ms Strachan's husband Brad, 61, who was in the front seat, remained in a critical condition in John Hunter Hospital on Thursday afternoon.
The driver of the other vehicle was 34-year-old Ghana national Bright Darko, who was living and working in the Hunter.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to raise money to help his wife and their four-year-old girl as well as pay for a funeral in his home nation.
"Bright by name and bright in nature [he] was loved by all," the page administrator wrote.
"Bright was a fun loving and funny friend to all who knew him."
Meanwhile, Marine Rescue NSW is urging skippers and watercraft users to be careful on the water, with increased traffic expected from the Central Coast to Port Stephens and Myall Lakes.
"It's already been a busy start to the year and our volunteers are well prepared for a huge influx of boaters on the water from sunrise today through to sunset on Australia Day," Hunter-Central Coast Regional Operations Manager Steve Raymond said.
"Our teams on the Hunter and Central Coast have launched 242 rescue missions, including 44 in response to life-endangering emergencies since the start of summer. They have returned 597 people, including 90 children plus 12 pets, safely to shore.
"The forecast is for days of hot, fine weather and many people are no doubt taking Monday off to enjoy a four-day weekend for Australia Day.
"We know boaters will be flocking to the spectacular Hunter and Central Coast one last time before the return to school and work next week."
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