Road safety reminder this long weekend

Published date: 09 Mar 2023

The Victorian Government is urging Victorians to be safe and take extra care on the roads this Labour Day long weekend.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said motorists heading away should plan ahead, drive to the conditions, take regular breaks and don’t take any risks.

It’s been a horror start to the year on Victoria’s roads, with 72 fatalities – compared to 50 at the same time last year – leaving many families, friends and colleagues mourning the unnecessary loss of a loved one.

Of the fatalities, 60 per cent have been on regional roads.

There’s also been a 160 per cent increase in the number of fatalities at intersections this year compared with the five-year average – 54 per cent in regional Victoria and 46 per cent on metropolitan roads.

Crashes on high-speed roads also continue to be a challenge, with 75 per cent of fatalities on regional roads this year occurring in a 100km/h or 110km/h speed zone.

Last year, 21 Victorians who lost their lives on our roads weren’t wearing a seatbelt. All Victorians have a responsibility to protect themselves and their loved ones – and wearing a seatbelt is the quickest and easiest way to ensure you get home safely.

Victoria Police will be out in force across the state this long weekend, targeting speeding, drink and drug drivers, fatigue, distracted drivers and seatbelt compliance.

To further support the road safety efforts of Victoria Police, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has also increased its widespread enforcement-focused advertising activity across the state – currently targeting speed and drug driving on billboards, radio, press and digital platforms.

The Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 works across education, infrastructure, policy and technology to improve safety for road users. The Strategy aims to halve road deaths and reduce serious injuries by 2030 and eliminate road deaths by 2050.

The Victorian Government is working with the Australian Government and the TAC to roll out vital safety upgrades as part of the $457.57 million Road Safety Program. The upgrades are being delivered at almost 200 sites and routes on regional, urban and peri-urban roads.

These include intersection upgrades, pedestrian crossings, electronic speed limit signage, rumble strip line marking, safety barriers and shoulder sealing works.

Quote attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne

“We’re urging all Victorians to protect themselves and others as they travel across our roads this Labour Day long weekend by planning ahead, driving to the conditions, taking regular breaks and not taking any risks.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Police Anthony Carbines

“We need all Victorians to play their part in keeping our roads safe this Labour Day long weekend. Police will be out in force targeting those caught doing the wrong thing.”

Quote attributable to Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore

“Road trauma does not discriminate and it’s not just deliberate risk-taking costing lives and causing injuries. Concentration lapses can end in tragedy, especially at high speeds and at intersections, so we’re urging people to focus on the task of driving safely, be well rested and remove distractions.”