"Shocking" Start to 2012 on the Roads: TAC Urges Victorians to Take Care

31 Jan 2012

MEDIA RELEASE: 31 January 2012

Following the deaths of 28 people on Victorian roads this year, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has asked all drivers, riders and pedestrians to consider their behavior and what they can do to make safety their priority.

The road toll, as of midnight 28 January, is now 11 more than the same time last year for an increase of 65%.

Sixteen of the 28 deaths have occurred on regional or rural roads – 60 % up on the same time last year.

The spike in January fatalities comes after a weekend where seven lives were lost on Victorian roads.

Of the 28 deaths to date in 2012:

• Three occurred in a 50 km/h zone
• Three occurred in a 60 zone
• One occurred in a 70 zone
• Six occurred in a 80 zone
• One occurred in a 90 zone
• 12 occurred in a 100 zone
• Two occurred in a 110 zone

The TAC's Senior Manager of Road Safety & Marketing, John Thompson, said it shouldn't come as a surprise to the Victorian community that 21 deaths had occurred on high-speed roads above 80km/h.

"It is important that pedestrians and drivers took extra care to obey speed limits and reduce their risks," Mr Thompson said.

"It proves that road users cannot be complacent, and that the TAC must continue to educate Victorians about the deadly behaviors that unnecessarily kill Victorians like speeding and driving impaired.

"For 28 people to have been killed in preventable crashes in less than one month is nothing short of tragic."

The monthly toll is nine more than January 2011, and three more than the five year average.

Mr Thompson said there were a number of things that could be attributed to the spike in road deaths this January.
 
The factors included warmer weather and holidays, as well as driver and rider behaviour.

"With warmer nights more people are out and about and our roads are busier, and maybe more drivers are on unfamiliar roads as they travel to holiday destinations."

"But, there is no excuse for drivers, riders or pedestrians having a poor attitude towards road safety.

"At the end of the day, we are all responsible for our own behaviour on the road, and it is up to you to reduce your risk."

Mr Thompson said that despite the spike in deaths this past month, the state's long-term road safety strategy was working.

"Over the past 20 years the rate of fatalities per 100,000 population has decreased from 11.38 to 5.12, making Victoria one of the safest places in the world to use the roads.

"But, we cannot relax and I encourage the whole community to use the past month's tragedies as motivation to consider their behaviour on our roads and think about what they can do to make our roads an even safer place to be."

He said with the increase in deaths on regional and rural roads, the community was encouraged to maintain its commitment to having conversation about road safety via campaigns like Talk the Toll Down.

"Remember to talk with your loved ones about how important it is to stay safe on the roads and remain vigilant, because in the end it could save their life."

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