Dozens more lives have been lost on NSW roads so far in 2016 compared with this time last year, and fatigue is closing in on speed as the leading cause of death.
The state's road toll for 2016 now stands at 291, which is 37 more deaths than this time last year.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday that fatigue was a factor in 65 of those deaths.
"Fatigue is now number two in NSW, up 60 per cent on last year," Mr Gay said.
With school holidays already in full swing and the long weekend coming up, he has urged drivers to rest up before taking to the roads.
"If you're feeling tired, it's time to pull over," Mr Gay said.
"Have a cup of tea, have a bikkie, go to the loo, but more importantly just rest ... because if you've been driving for 17 hours it's the same as being over the limit on alcohol."
Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said a 20-minute nap could save a life.
"The fatigue-related crashes are particularly happening in the back-end of the week between three and nine, where people are actually getting more tired from having worked a long week," Mr Carlon said.
"We want people to manage that and use alternative transport if they can but also just take a rest if they need to take a rest."
Double demerits will be in force from Friday through to Monday for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
