Victoria Police is determined to build on a turnaround in road trauma towards the end of 2022 that has helped deliver one of the lowest lives lost figures on record.
There were 240 lives lost in 2022, six more than the previous year and slightly above the five-year-average of 237.
It represents the fourth lowest lives lost figure since TAC records began more than 30 years ago but police stress any life lost is one too many.
December - previously Victoria's deadliest month on the roads - recorded 10 fewer deaths. Only May had fewer fatalities during 2022.
The shift coincided with a statewide enforcement effort that saw more than 13,500 traffic offences detected across 12 days and a series of awareness initiatives with Victoria Police's road safety partners.
September was the worst month for fatalities, with 28 deaths.
Fatalities on metropolitan roads decreased to 105 compared with 114 the previous year, with the five-year average also 105.
Lives lost on country roads, including Geelong and the Surf Coast, rose to 135 from 120 in 2021. The figure was also above the five-year average of 131.
Speeding, including driving too fast for the conditions, was the leading suspected cause of fatalities statewide. Failing to give way, illicit drugs, alcohol and mobile phones were also common contributors police cited.
About a fifth of drivers and passengers killed didn't have their seatbelts on or weren't wearing it properly, accounting for 21 deaths although this was an improvement on the previous year.
The worst areas in the state for lives lost included the Goulburn Valley police division which had 26 deaths, up from 16. The Bendigo division recorded 19 deaths (+3), Dandenong 18 (-15) and Geelong 17 (+4).
Spikes in motorcyclist and pedestrian deaths remain a concern.
Motorcyclist fatalities rose more than a third with 57 deaths compared with 42 in 2021 and a five-year average of 38.
Pedestrian fatalities were up more than 50 per cent, with 44 deaths recorded. This compared with 29 in 2021 and a five-year average of 35.
Driver fatalities fell with 101 recorded (-13) while 22 passengers were killed, down from 33 in 2021. Cyclist deaths were unchanged at 12.
Males comprised three-quarters of people killed on the roads with 179 deaths compared with 61 females.
There was a slight increase in the number of young people killed on the roads with 35 deaths among those aged 18-24, up from 31. Deaths among road users aged 60+ were down but deaths among those aged 50-59 increased almost 30 per cent to 32.
Victoria Police will continue to work with its road safety partners as part of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to halve deaths and significantly reduce injuries by 2030. The strategy sets Victoria on the path towards zero road deaths by 2050.
A number of statewide road policing operations will be conducted during high-risk road trauma periods throughout 2023, starting with the upcoming Australia Day long weekend.
Quotes attributable to Acting Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Justin Goldsmith:
"It's pleasing to see an improvement in road trauma towards the end of the year and we certainly want to build on that momentum.
"While the number of lives lost is only slightly above the previous year when there were still significant travel restrictions due to Covid, it's crucial to stress any life lost is one too many.
"These are not just numbers - each represents a mother, father, brother, sister, child or friend whose life has been needlessly cut short.
"Many people will be celebrating the start of the new year but our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those who will never get the chance to see in 2023.
"The rise in motorcyclist and pedestrian fatalities over the last 12 months is especially concerning. We're also seeing increased trauma in country areas.
"Victoria Police is focused on reducing this needless loss of life and we urge all road users to look out for each other.
"Often it is behaviours within our control like choosing to speed, driving after a few drinks or texting behind the wheel that results in the most catastrophic road trauma.
"That's why you will continue to see us right across the state checking your speed, conducting alcohol and drug tests and removing unlicensed and suspended drivers from the road."
Analysis of the lives lost provisional figures in 2022 shows:
OVERALL
• There were 240 lives lost - six more than 2021 (234). Five-year average is 237.
• The 240 lives lost has resulted from 238 separate fatal collisions.
• There were 236 single vehicle collisions - up from 202 in 2021.
• There were two double fatalities, no triple fatalities and no quadruple fatalities.
• There were 105 lives lost on metropolitan roads - down from 114 in 2021 with a five-year average of 105.
• There were 135 lives lost on country roads, including Geelong and the Surf Coast, up from 120 in 2021 with a five-year average of 131.
ROAD USER
• Drivers - 101 lives lost compared with 114 in 2021. Five-year average is 112.
• Passengers - 22 lives lost compared with 33 in 2021. Five-year average is 38.
• Motorcyclists - 57 lives lost compared with 42 in 2021. Five-year average is 38. Additionally, there were no pillion passenger deaths in 2022 but one in 2021.
• Pedestrians - 44 lives lost compared with 29 in 2021. Five-year average is 35.
• Cyclists - 12 lives lost compared with 12 also in 2021. Five-year average is 11.
• Other - four lives lost compared with two in 2021.
DEMOGRAPHICS
• Male lives lost - 179, compared with 171 in 2021. Five-year average is 174.
• Female lives lost - 61, compared with 63 in 2021. Five-year average is 62.
• Unknown - zero, compared with zero in 2021.
AGE
•
• 18-24: 35, compared with 31 in 2021. Five-year average is 34.
• 25-29: 26, compared with 22 in 2021. Five-year average is 23.
• 30-39: 33, compared with 31 in 2021. Five-year average is 36.
• 40-49: 34, compared with 28 in 2021. Five-year average is 29.
• 50-59: 32, compared with 25 in 2021. Five-year average is 28.
• 60-69: 31, compared with 33 in 2021. Five-year average is 29.
• 70-79: 21, compared with 23 in 2021. Five-year average is 21.
• 80+: 18, compared with 22 in 2021. Five-year average is 25.
• Unknown: one, compared with three in 2021. Five-year average is one.
LOCATION (POLICE REGION BREAKDOWN)
• Eastern Region - 86 lives lost in 2022, compared with 64 in 2021. Five-year average is 78.
• Western Region - 69 lives lost in 2022, compared with 70 in 2021. Five-year average is 76.
• Southern Metro - 28 lives lost in 2022, compared with 52 in 2021. Five-year average is 39.
• North West Metro - 57 lives lost in 2022, compared to 48 in 2021. Five-year average is 43.
MONTH
• January - 23 (+9 from 2021)
• February - 24 (+3)
• March - 17 (-7)
• April - 19 (+5)
• May - 14 (unchanged)
• June - 22 (+2)
• July - 20 (unchanged)
• August - 19 (+2)
• September - 28 (+6)
• October - 19 (unchanged)
• November - 20 (-4)
• December - 15 (-10)
Please note: The figures released today are provisional only and subject to change as some deaths may be removed or added for a number of reasons. The Road Fatality Review Panel will meet in February 2023 before final figures for 2022 will be available.
Victorian Lives Lost - 1987 to 2022
2022 - 240
2021 - 234
2020 - 211
2019 - 266
2018 - 213
2017 - 259
2016 - 290
2015 - 252
2014 - 248
2013 - 243
2012 - 282
2011 - 287
2010 - 287
2009 - 290
2008 - 303
2007 - 332
2006 - 337
2005 - 346
2004 - 343
2003 - 330
2002 - 397
2001 - 444
2000 - 407
1999 - 384
1998 - 390
1997 - 377
1996 - 418
1995 - 418
1994 - 378
1993 - 436
1992 - 396
1991 - 503
1990 - 548
1989 - 776
1988 - 701
