Mother's Day Warning Comes as Female Road Deaths Spike

05 May 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 5 May 2011

In the lead up to Mother's Day, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is urging women to take greater care on the roads.

The warning comes as a spike in female road deaths could be a factor in this year's road tollbeing seven higher than the same time last year, the latest TAC data shows.

An analysis of the first four months of road fatalities in 2011, shows that Victoria's road toll is 6% above last year's total.

The data shows that female deaths have been more prevalent this year with 24 fatalities compared to 18 last year for a 33% increase.

TAC Head of Community Relations, Phil Reed, said with Mother's Day approaching it was timely for women in particular to reflect on their driving behaviour.

"We want every Victorian mother, daughter, sister and girlfriend to drive safely to ensure they are around to see Mother's Day next year," Mr Reed said.

"Last year we saw a marked improvement in female fatality levels, but unfortunately the trend has been reversed."

The biggest changes year-to-date were for passenger deaths which increased by 11% to 27 deaths. Drivers continued to make up the greatest proportion of the road toll with 36 driver deaths in 2011. The smallest number of deaths were amongst bicyclists (4), followed by pedestrians (13).

Motorcyclist deaths are currently tracking 16% below the same time last year with 21 deaths, compared to 25 the year before. This is slightly above the five year average of 18 deaths.

Regional road deaths (50) are consistent with the prior year, and well below the five year trend (57).

The following is a snapshot of the key statistics according to road user group:

Vehicle occupants: 36 drivers and 27 passengers were killed
� 38 died in single vehicle crashes (21 on rural roads)
� 28 drivers and 16 passengers were male
� 38 vehicle occupants died on 100 km/h roads (34 in regional Victoria)
� 8 drivers and 9 passengers were killed in multiple fatality crashes
� 8 drivers were aged between 18-25 (7 were male)
� 15 drivers and 9 passengers were aged over 60
� 6 vehicle occupants were unbelted (all were male)

Motorcyclists: 20 motorcyclists and one pillion rider were killed
� all motorcycle riders were male (the pillion rider was female)
� 14 riders were aged over 40, as was the pillion rider
� 11 riders died on regional or rural roads (7 on 100km/h roads)
� 4 riders died on 40-50 km/h roads

Pedestrians: 13 pedestrians were killed
� 9 pedestrians were killed in metro Melbourne
� 10 were male
� 5 were aged over 60
� 5 were killed on 40-50 km/h roads

Cyclists: 4 cyclists were killed
� 3 cyclists were males
� all were aged over 40
� 2 were killed in metro Melbourne
� 3 killed on 100 km/h roads

TAC Head of Community Relations, Phil Reed said that the TAC was pleased that the 2011 road toll was tracking below the five year average. However, it is concerning that more people have been killed on the roads this year compared to the same time last year.

"Overall, our road toll is trending downwards but we still have 8 months ahead of us so there is no time for complacency."'

"We urge all Victorians to take care and not take unnecessary risks, particularly women who have died in greater numbers this year compared to last,"

"Every Victorian must also play their part by taking responsibility for their safety on the roads and sticking to the speed limit," Mr Reed said.

For more information contact the TAC's Amanda Bavin on 0439 567 249.