The Andrews Labor Government is urging Victorians to be safe on the roads this long weekend, with more than 100 lives already tragically lost on the state's roads this year.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne today reinforced the message to all road users to take care on the roads by planning ahead, driving to the conditions, avoiding distractions, and taking regular breaks.
Road safety is a shared responsibility, so everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe. The number of lives lost this year is 21 higher than at the same time last year and 24 higher than the five year annual average.
Of the fatalities, 59 have occurred on regional roads and 41 in metro areas. It includes 49 drivers and 24 passengers, 16 motorcyclists, 5 cyclists and 6 pedestrians.
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 Labor Government is working with the Australian Government and Transport Accident Commission 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.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
"We need all Victorians to play their part in keeping our roads safe. The message is simple - plan ahead, drive to the conditions, take regular breaks, avoid distractions and don't take any risks."
As stated by Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore
"It has been a devastating year on our roads so far and we all need to take responsibility for turning it around - slow down, don't drink or drug drive, put your phone away and focus on driving safely - we need to get the basics right to reduce the level of trauma on our roads."
As stated by Head of Road Safety Victoria Marcelo Vidales
"We cannot accept that anyone should lose their life, or have it permanently changed, as a cost of using Victoria's roads - every single decision we make on the roads is crucial so please make decisions you won't regret."
