Victorian Motorists are being told to plan ahead, slow down and buckle up as the last weekend of school holidays arrives amid a “devastating” start to 2023 on the roads.
Leading the call the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne said 24 people had been killed on Victorian roads already this year, compared with 18 at the same time in 2022 – “tragically, it is the most road deaths in the first three weeks of a year since 2004”.
Ms Horne said regional roads had seen the majority of trauma this year with 18 of the lives lost, compared to 10 at the same time last year.
She said new data showed an alarming number of people were dying on Victorian roads without wearing seatbelts.
“Last year, 21 drivers and passengers died unbuckled in Victoria – representing 17 per cent of all vehicle occupant deaths for the year, while more than 75 per cent of those occurred on regional roads,” Ms Horne said.
“The problem is more common amongst men who account for 95 per cent of all drivers and passengers who lost their lives on our roads last year, where it was clear a seatbelt wasn’t worn,” she said.
“More than 50 years since seatbelts were mandated in Victoria, the basic safety message that buckling up could save your life seemingly isn’t getting through to some.”
Ms Horne said that with Australia Day yesterday and school holidays concluding this week, it was expected to be a busy period on the roads.
“Motorists are being urged to take the time to plan ahead – ensure you are well rested, leave plenty of time to get to your destination, and have alternative transport plans when drinking alcohol,” the Minister said.
