A Walgett man has been charged after a motorcycle crash on Boxing Day that saw a woman receive serious injuries.

At around 12:20 am on Monday 26 December, police and emergency services were called to Duff Street, Walgett after it was reported a motorcycle with two riders had crashed into a pedestrian bridge.

The two riders had presented themselves to Walgett Hospital after maintaining serious injuries from the crash - the man (22) was transferred to Dubbo hospital, and his passenger, a woman (21) was rushed to Tamworth for surgery.

The Crash Investigation Unit opened a crime scene to determine the circumstances behind the crash that same day, and following the investigation, officers arrested the 22 year old man at his residence on Fox Street, Walgett at 12:30 pm yesterday (Monday 2 January) and was then taken to Walgett Police Station.

The driver was charged with driving in a dangerous manner, causing bodily harm, driving without a license, and riding without a helmet.

The man has been granted bail and will appear at Walgett Court House on Tuesday 21 February 2023.

This news follows reports of Australia's highest road death tolls in five years, with 1,165 deaths in 2022 alone.

Perhaps a new years resolution should be to act safer on the roads in 2023 - checking weather conditions, maintaining safe speeds, and never driving while fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances.