Thousands of drivers in the region caught speeding over holiday break

And more than 100 motorists were caught drink-driving.

The statewide police road safety operation kicked off on December 24, wrapping up at 11.59pm on Sunday.

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Across the Southern Region, which includes the Illawarra, police nabbed 2248 drivers for speeding.

Sixty-one motorists were caught using their mobile phone while driving, and there were also 56 infringement notices handed out for drivers or passengers not using seatbelts.

There were 48,804 breath tests administered, with 106 people found to be driving under the influence.

The region also saw 103 reported major crashes with 60 people injured, but fortunately no loss of life.

The NSW road toll for 2020 was the lowest in almost 100 years, with 297 deaths - 56 fewer than in 2019.

"However, the lower number is no excuse for complacency," Transport and Roads Minister Andrew Constance said.

"Almost half of all fatal crashes last year involved someone who was speeding or driving too fast for the conditions."

Mr Constance said speed-related deaths were up from 119 in 2019 to 134 in 2020.

"Any death on our roads is one death too many," he said.

"I am asking everyone to take responsibility for road safety in 2021 by giving yourself plenty of time to travel, don't speed, drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt, avoid distractions, make sure you're well rested and if you've been drinking or have taken drugs, don't drive."

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Acting Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty was concerned about the rise in speeding-related deaths, given that was a leading contributor to serious crashes.

"As a frontline worker, one of the hardest things to do is deliver the news of a loved one's death - especially as a result of a road crash which could have been avoided by making better choices behind the wheel," he said.