If those six Australians had died at the hands of an armed gunman, we would be understandably outraged.

If those six deaths were a result of a disease outbreak we would be terribly frightened for our loved ones, and the pressure on health authorities to find a cure would be enormous.

But because those deaths came on Australian roads during the 2016 Easter holiday break, we actually considered that to be a good result. And, in comparison to the previous year, that was.

In 2015, an appalling 22 lives were lost on Australian roads over Easter, with 12 deaths in 2014 and 21 in 2013.

But as we approach another Easter long weekend, our goal as a nation should be zero deaths on the roads. Any more would be a tragedy.

Studies show that most road deaths are avoidable and can be put down to three major risk factors – speed, tiredness and alcohol.

All three of those risk factors can be controlled by sensible drivers who pay due respect to their responsibility behind the wheel.

NSW Police have again launched an Easter road blitz and any family travelling any real distance over the next few days should expect to see a strong police presence on the roads.

And while we know the sight of a police car is enough to slow most drivers, officers cannot be everywhere.

Drivers cannot outsource responsibility for their driving to the authorities; each and every driver must take responsibility for their own actions.

If you need to be somewhere at a certain time, leave earlier and give yourself plenty of time to get there.

If you feel drowsy behind the wheel, pull over for a rest or let someone else drive for a while. And if you have been drinking, just forget it. Get a cab or walk home.

None of this is new and none of it is surprising, but our failure as a society to heed these simple lessons has delivered a world where we can describe six deaths on the roads as “just” six deaths.

That is not a world any of us wants to live in. This Easter, and every day, please remember that.