Spike in fatalities prompts warning on winter driving

08 Jun 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 8th June 2011

The latest Transport Accident Commission statistics are a sharp reminder about safe driving in wintry conditions, with Baw Baw showing a 400 per cent spike in fatalities.

The TAC has today released its road safety statistical summary, showing there were 15 deaths on Baw Baw roads in the 12 months to April, compared to 3 the previous year.

The figures come ahead of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, with many Victorians expected to head to the mountains to kick off the snow season.

TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore urged all Victorians to take care on wet and icy roads as they travelled this weekend.

“The latest statistics are a timely reminder to drive to the conditions, not just at the posted speed limit, when faced with rain, snow and black ice,” Ms Dore said.

The road toll in Victoria is up five per cent this year, with the main increase in regional cities and towns.

Benalla, Casey, the Mornington Peninsula and Wangaratta recorded the second highest number of fatalities for the period, with eleven fatalities each. There were ten fatalities in Bendigo.

The statistics show that Geelong had the highest number of hospital admissions for injuries, followed by Casey, Melbourne, Yarra Ranges and Dandenong. There were 5,392 hospital admissions across Victoria.*

View more of the latest road trauma statistics including by local area here. The tables below show the areas with the most fatalities and hospital admissions for the reporting period.

For further information, contact the TAC’s Emily Bogue on 0429 416 778.