Police Launch Halo as Final Toll Announced

01 Feb 2012

MEDIA RELEASE: 1 February 2012

Victoria Police will today launch a major month-long operation targeting road trauma involving vulnerable road users including pedestrians and cyclists across Melbourne's inner suburbs.

Operation Halo begins as police announce a record low road toll for the fourth consecutive year.

There were 287 deaths on Victorian roads in 2011, one less than 2010.

Of the toll, 106 (37 per cent) deaths involved vulnerable road users, including pedestrians (49), cyclists (8) and motorcycle riders and passengers (49).

Head of Road Policing Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said police would be conducting Operation Halo throughout February to reduce this road trauma.

"Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders are our most vulnerable road users and we have been particularly concerned about the 26 per cent rise in pedestrian fatalities last year," he said.

"Operation Halo will see about 100 police a day working across the Melbourne, Port Phillip, Yarra, Boroondara and Stonnington Police Service Areas (PSAs) targeting issues that contribute to vulnerable road user collisions.
 
"That doesn't mean that we will just be targeting pedestrians, cyclist and motorcycle riders who breach the road rules. We will also be targeting offences committed by drivers of motorcycles, cars and heavy vehicles who contribute to this road trauma.

"This includes driving in marked bicycle lanes, driving whilst distracted, speeding or failing to give way at intersections."

Mr Walshe said the operation aimed to raise awareness amongst all road users.

"We need pedestrians to look up from their smart phone, pull out the earphones and be aware of their surroundings at all times and comply with pedestrian signals. We need motorcyclists to ride with care in heavy traffic and be aware of the dangers of lane splitting or riding in bicycle lanes.

"We need cyclists to obey traffic lights and signs and ride with caution in built up traffic. And we need drivers to always look for cyclists, motorbikes and pedestrians, particularly at busy intersections and when opening car doors.

"If we all work together we can make an impact."

The five inner-Melbourne councils have been selected for the operation due to high rates of road trauma involving vulnerable road users in each area.

Police from State Highway Patrol, Operations Response Unit, Bicycle Patrol Unit and local uniform members will be working in road trauma hotspots and focusing on morning and afternoon peak periods when most collisions occur.

The operation will run for 14 days throughout February with the help of a TAC promotional team campaigning for pedestrian safety today in the CBD.

The TAC Green Team will be drawing attention to the importance of pedestrians using designated crossings, and rewarding those who cross safely with high fives and give-aways.

Meanwhile, the final road toll results show that in 2011 (data compared with 2010):

• There were 129 deaths in metropolitan Melbourne, up from 125 in 2010.
• There were 158 deaths in country Victoria, down from 163 in 2010.
• Victoria recorded 5.1 deaths per 100,000 population compared to 5.91 in the rest of Australia in 2011.*
• There were 49 pedestrian deaths, an increase of 26 per cent.
• People aged over 70 accounted for 16 pedestrian fatalities (32 per cent), 12 people killed were aged 80 or above (24 per cent).
• Forty-nine fatalities (17 per cent) were motorcyclists, equal to 2010 but an increase of four on the five year average.
• Five of the motorcyclists (13 per cent) were not wearing a helmet.*
• Of the eight fatalities involving cyclists, 50 per cent (four) were not wearing a helmet.*
• Heavy vehicles were involved in 38 fatal collisions (15 per cent), a decrease of 21 per cent.
• Thirty-six (26 per cent) of drivers and passengers killed were not wearing a seatbelt.*

Mr Walshe said speed, alcohol and drugs and vulnerable road users would be the major focus areas of police in 2012.

"An analysis of road toll figures show that speed is believed to be a major contributing factor in about 20 per cent of collisions which resulted in fatalities," he said.

"Research shows that if all drivers dropped just 1km/h off their average speed we could save about 15 lives every year and avoid up to 300 serious injuries.

"Make no mistake, speed is a killer and we will continue to strictly enforce speed limits in all areas of the state.

"Analysis also shows that alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in 36 collisions which resulted in fatalities (14 per cent). While this shows a decrease on our five year average (19 per cent) it is still concerning to see alcohol having such an impact in road trauma.

"Police will be out in force breath testing motorists at all times of day and night throughout the year. Don't take the risk and you won't be caught."

Mr Walshe said with 28 deaths already recorded on Victorian roads this year, police would be working harder than ever to turn this around.

"Victoria Police works very hard with our road safety partners in the TAC, VicRoads and Department of Justice in reducing road trauma in this state," he said.

"I’m calling for all community members to do the same in 2012."

For further information please contact: Sarah Henderson 5225 6464, 0429 294 262