Victoria Police has recognised a significant reduction in fatal collisions on Victorian roads in 2020, but urges all road users to not become complacent and continue to play their role in reducing road trauma.
Police today reflected on the 213 lives tragically cut short on our roads. Sadly, this year five of those people were Victoria Police officers.
The provisional lives lost figure for 2020 sits at the same number of deaths that occurred in 2018, which was the lowest on record for Victoria.
Excessive and inappropriate speed, as well as impaired driving, continued to play a significant role in road trauma. More than 34 per cent of fatal collisions in 2020 suspected speed to be a contributing factor. Throughout the year drugs were also alleged to be a contributing factor in more than 32 per cent of fatal collisions.
Victoria Police continues to urge drivers to take things back to basics so everyone reaches their destinations safely. During the coronavirus restrictions, Victoria experienced an increase in lives lost and collisions per 10,000 vehicles on the road. Intelligence showed there was also an increase in incidents that involved speeds in excess of 145km an hour.
Operation Roadwise continues to run across the state until 6 January 2021, where more than 10,000 traffic offences and 940 crime offences have been detected to date.
Quotes to be attributed to Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy:
While we need to acknowledge the great work every Victorian has done to reduce road trauma in recent years, we need to remember that we're talking about people whose lives have been tragically cut short and families who have lost loved ones.
This year has been a challenging year for all Victorians. That said, we cannot become complacent about our behaviour on the road. Every single road user has a choice to make when they start their journey.
That means slowing down, avoiding distractions such as using mobile phones while driving, buckling up and stopping for appropriate rest breaks when travelling long distances. If getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, it is essential you do not drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Too many people think road trauma only happens to other people, but it can happen to you or someone you know, so we all need to take care and look after each other.
Analysis of the lives lost provisional figures in 2020 shows:
OVERALL
The 213 lives lost resulted from 197 fatal collisions.
Single fatality collisions decreased to 113 compared to 144 in 2019.
There were 13 double fatality collisions, no triple fatality collisions and one quadruple fatality collision.
There were 126 deaths in country Victoria
87 lives have been lost on metropolitan roads
TYPE OF ROAD USER
Drivers - 106 lives lost, the five year average is 123 lives lost
Motorcyclists - 33 lives lost, five year average is 40.4 lives lost
Passengers - 31 lives lost, five year average is 43.4 lives lost
Pedestrians - 29 lives lost, five year average is 37.8 lives lost
Cyclists - 13 lives lost, five year average is 9.6 lives lost
Other - 1 life lost, five year average is 1 life lost
DEMOGRAPHICS
Males accounted for 76 per cent of the lives lost (162 people)
AGE
Age Group 2019 v 2020
18-24: 44 v 27
25-29: 26 v 26
30-39: 33 v 40
40-49: 28 v 27
50-59: 30 v 26
60-69: 36 v 22
70-79: 20 v 18
80+ 36 v 18
Total 266 v 213
REGIONAL FATALITIES
Eastern - 75 deaths in 2020, compared to 78 in 2019 - five year average is 88.8
Western - 74 deaths in 2020, compared to 99 in 2019 - five year average is 78.4
Southern - 32 deaths in 2020, compared to 42 in 2019 - five year average is 39.0
North West Metro - 32 deaths in 2020, compared to 47 in 2019 - five year average is 49.8
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 January and final figures for 2020 will be available on 1 February, 2021.
Victorian Lives Lost
2020 - 213
2019 - 266
2018 - 213
2017 - 259
2016 - 290
2015 - 252
2014 - 248
2013 - 243
2012 - 282
2011 - 287
2010 - 288
2009 - 290
2008 - 303
2007 - 332
2006 - 337
2005 - 346
2004 - 343
2003 - 330
2002 - 397
2001 - 444
2000 - 407
1999 - 383
1998 - 390
1997 - 377
1996 - 417
1995 - 418
1994 - 378
1993 - 436
1992 - 396
