Sydney drivers could soon be forced to slow down in areas of high pedestrian traffic, as the NSW government considers new ways to curb the state’s road toll.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday too many pedestrians were dying on the road, particularly over the past 12 months.

“There are particular hot spots around pedestrian areas where unfortunately too many drivers don’t slow down,” she told reporters.

“We need to make sure we consider reducing speed in those key areas.”

Those areas include train stations, and shopping areas and hospitals, which could be subject to a 40km/h speed limit.

Ms Berejiklian stressed it will be done in consultation with local councils, but Labor leader Luke Foley fears it will be a revenue-raising measure by the government.

“If they do this they’ll need to allocate a big sum of money to educate motorists rather than just using this as a tax grab,” he told reporters.

It comes as the government announced a $600 million funding boost to dangerous country roads.

The money will be spent on installing wire rope barriers, tactile line markings and extra highway patrol officers in regional areas.

“Any loss of life on our roads is one too many and so this investment is about making our roads safer for everyone,” NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said in a statement.

It’s part of a bigger $1.9 billion road safety package promised over the next five years.

Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said the government was investing in initiatives proven to lower the road toll.

The state budget will be handed down on June 19.

-AAP