Plea for caution as Victorians enjoy long weekend

Published date: 22 Jan 2025

Road safety authorities are urging motorists to drive safely this long weekend as 21 people have already lost their lives on Victoria’s roads.

Transport Accident Commission CEO Tracey Slatter today called on Victorians to slow down if they’re travelling by car and avoid adding to the number of lives lost on our roads.

Tragically, the number of people killed on the state’s roads this year (21) is already 24 per cent higher than at the same time last year (17).

Ms Slatter said with many Victorians taking to the road as they head away for the final days of the school holidays and for a long weekend, it was crucial for everyone to play their role in keeping the roads safe.

“We’ve already seen too many lives lost on our roads this year and we don’t want that to continue,” she said.

"Every Victorian has a role to play in keeping people safe on our roads; slow down, put the phone away, wear a seatbelt and never drive while affected by drugs or alcohol.

"There is nothing more important than arriving at your destination safely, and we need to look out for each other on the roads and make sure every journey is a safe one."

Fatigue is a major concern and is a contributing factor in 16-20 per cent of all road crashes in Victoria. Falling asleep behind the wheel for just four seconds while travelling at 100km/h means a car will travel 111 metres.

People planning a road trip should get a good night’s sleep, allow for plenty of travel time, take a break from the road every two hours, remove distractions, drive to conditions and if possible, swap drivers.

Ms Slatter encouraged drivers to this weekend stop in at one of the TAC’s 15 ‘Pause Stop’ locations set up at Visitor Information Centres across the state, as part of a partnership with the Victoria Tourism Industry Council. Each Pause Stop location will provide visitors with a range of resources to plan a safe journey, including information on how to avoid drowsy driving and activities to keep the kids entertained.

"Drivers are encouraged to take a break from the road every two hours, swap drivers if they can, and just slow down and enjoy the drive. Getting to your destination later than planned is better than not arriving at all,” she said.

"For people celebrating the long weekend with friends and family, make sure you have planned a safe way home that doesn’t involve drinking and driving.”

People passing the Balmattum Rest Area along the Hume Highway on January 25 can stop at the TAC’s Pause Stop location for a TAC activation that includes free barista coffee, games for the family, children’s activities and a powernap space to recharge. The State Emergency Service will also have their Driver Reviver sites active across the state during the weekend.

Visit the TAC website to find a Pause Stop location.