Six months of road trauma prompts message for drivers to take care

02 Jul 2010

MEDIA RELEASE: 2nd July 2010

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is urging the Victorian community to do its part to keep the road toll down.

The TAC has released the road toll figures for the first half of the year.

The statistics show that fatalities among motorcyclists and older drivers have increased compared to last year, but that young driver deaths are down.

The TAC's Road Safety Manager Samantha Cockfield said the statistics showed an increase in deaths among Victorians aged over 50, mostly drivers.

She said Victoria's road safety agencies were closely monitoring the recent increase.

"The TAC and Victoria's road safety agencies are working on community programs to help keep older drivers safe on the roads."

"I encourage older drivers to access these programs or work with their doctor to be aware of their changing health needs and how it could affect their driving," Ms Cockfield said.

However, the statistics show a positive trend among the 18-20 year old age group, with deaths 46 per cent down on this time last year.

"The Graduated Licensing System, introduced two years ago, is improving the experience and knowledge of young drivers and helping to reduce the road toll," Ms Cockfield said.

"But still, 35 young people aged 16 to 25 have lost their lives on Victoria's roads this year, so we want to see a continued downward trend and less of these tragic crashes," Ms Cockfield said.

The statistics also show that:

• fatalities among motorcyclists are up 78 per cent compared to this time last year
• passenger and pedestrian deaths are down by 25 and 24 per cent respectively
• 58 per cent of fatalities have occurred outside of Melbourne, most on rural roads
• Whittlesea has had the highest number of fatalities for a local government area, with 10 deaths already this year. East Gippsland, Greater Bendigo and Greater Geelong have each recorded 6 fatalities.

"The road toll stands at 163 today, 10 more than at the same time last year."

"It's up to the community to help keep Victoria's road toll down. I urge all road users to take care on the roads," Ms Cockfield said.

Media contact: TAC Communications and Media Adviser Emily Bogue on 0429 416 778.

Click here to see the six months of road toll statistics for Victoria. (.pdf 12KB)

Click here to see the six months of road toll statistics for Victoria’s local government areas. (.pdf 18KB)