Top Ten trauma statistics revealed

20 Aug 2009

MEDIA RELEASE: 20th August 2009

The Transport Accident Commission has released detailed statistics on the most dangerous places on Victoria’s roads.

35 per cent of crashes causing fatalities and serious injuries happen in just ten of Victoria’s 56 Police Service Areas (PSAs).

Inner city Melbourne , Casey, Dandenong, Brimbank, Geelong , Yarra Ranges , Kingston , Mornington Peninsula , Boroondara and Frankston have the dubious honour of being in the top ten.

The TAC’s Senior Manager Road Safety David Healy said some of the statistics were alarming.

“For example, most pedestrian crashes happen in the Melbourne PSA,” Mr Healy said.

“ Melbourne also had a high representation of road trauma among motorcyclists (20 per cent) and bicyclists (17 per cent).”

“Most of these crashes happened during daylight hours on weekdays - there’s clearly a need for all road users to look out for each other in the inner city,” Mr Healy said.

“The highest number of TAC claims came from the City of Casey , with 18-20 year olds accounting for 15 per cent of all injured drivers.”

Victoria Police are targetting these Top Ten areas with Operation Ardent.

“Casey was the target in July and in coming weeks Operation Ardent will be on again,” Mr Healy said.

“You won’t know where or when, but you have been warned”.

“I am saddened and frustrated by the high number of crashes causing serious road trauma in these areas.”

“If you live in one of Victoria ’s Top Ten worst districts for road trauma, this is a wake up call to drive safely on your local roads.”

Top Ten statistics for 2008

For more information:

TAC Communications and Media Adviser Emily Bogue on 5225 6450 or 0429 416 778.