Speeding and dangerous driving among factors behind ‘frightening’ rural road toll

Nearly six people are being killed on Victorian roads every week, with experts pinning the blame on a “frightening” driving attitude as another deadly year looms.

Nearly four people are being killed on regional Victorian roads every week, with road experts pinning the blame on a “frightening” attitude towards speeding as another deadly year looms.

More than 60 per cent of the state’s road fatalities so far this year have been on rural roads, despite the area housing just 23 per cent of the population.

Unlike in Melbourne where fatalities have dropped, regional Victoria has seen 18 more deaths than this time last year and two dozen more than the five year average.

More than 80 people have been killed on regional roads so far this year. This car was smashed into a tree in Mansfield after veering off the road, killing four people inside Picture: Ian Currie

RoadSafe Mildura executive officer Tressna Martin said the latest figures for regional areas were “alarming”, citing speed as a critical factor.

“At a recent (road safety) forum, a participant asked if it was okay to speed if you are trying to overtake a truck. She was disappointed when I said no,” she said.

“On the way to the forum (it) was frightening with one vehicle overtaking seven cars and one B-triple in a single manoeuvre.

“The statistics are alarming with an increase in both hospitalisations and fatalities. Road surface area has been an anecdotal contributor to rural crashes but similarly, inexperience and speed are factors.”

Wellington Shire — in the state’s east — has recorded the most road fatalities among Victoria’s regional municipalities with five so far this year.

Taj Patten-McLaren, 15 was killed when a car hit a tree in Orbost on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied.

Ararat, Baw Baw, Colac, Corangamite, Golden Plains and Hindmarsh have each lost four people on their roads.

East Gippsland has suffered three fatalities, including best mates Taj Patten-McLaren, 15, and Zane Oldis, 18, who were killed in a crash at Orbost on Tuesday.

In She Oaks, Corio father Mark Robertson was killed when he crashed into a tree.

36-year-old Corio man Mark Robertson died days after a She Oaks car crash. Picture: Supplied.

Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner David Byrt said dangerous and distracted driving on regional roads contributed to the “significant increase” in fatalities.

“Behaviours like speeding, distraction, failing to give way and fatigue continues to be major contributing factors in regional road deaths,” Mr Byrt said.

“Road trauma has devastating impacts, not only for the victims, but their families, loved ones, first responders and the broader community.

“We’re committed to doing everything we can to drive down trauma on our regional roads, but we can’t do this alone – we need everyone to take responsibility for their own actions behind the wheel.

“It is imperative that all road users remain alert, particularly when travelling on high-speed rural roads – a split second of inattention can be all it takes.”

26-year-old Griffen House died after losing control of his car in Swan Hill West. Picture: Supplied

According to the latest Crime Statistics Agency data, Victoria recorded more than 1800 dangerous driving offences last year — about 300 more than the year before.

Dangerous driving included behaviour like drag racing, excessive speeding, tailgating and running red lights.

One group that aims to change dangerous driving attitudes is Amber Community — a road safety education service whose seminars are often attended by hoons at the direction of magistrates.

Chief executive Bernadette Nugent said a split second decision behind the wheel — like checking a message — could change lives forever.

“I think in terms of driving responsibility a lot of people believe that it’s only extreme behaviours like drink driving and recklessness that leads to crashes,” she said.

“But we know the truth is every day behaviours like driving a little over the speed limit can be just as deadly.

Emergency service personnel are being called to horror fatal crashes almost every day.

“Road trauma doesn’t discriminate and one of the things we really challenge are when people say ‘yeah but everyone does it’. We don’t hear about everyone that does it but we hear about the ones that go wrong.”

Amber Community volunteers deliver more than 20 monthly seminars across the state, with trauma victims and first responders revealing the “profound” consequences of dangerous driving.

TAC chief executive Tracey Slatter said it had been a “devastating” year on Victorian roads.

“Our hearts go out to the many families, friends and communities mourning the loss of a loved one,” she said.

“Many people see the reports of transport accidents and think it won’t happen to them, but the TAC provides support services every year to 45,000 people who have been seriously injured in a transport accident.”

A Victorian government spokeswoman said poor driver behaviour was a “significant threat to safety”.

“We’re asking Victorians to slow down, take breaks, don’t drink or drug drive, wear a seatbelt and put the phone away – otherwise, being caught by police is a better alternative than causing a tragedy,” she said.

So far this year 141 lives have been lost on Victorian roads.

Last year 284 lives were lost on Victorian roads, of which 148 were regional.

Originally published as Speeding and dangerous driving among factors behind ‘frightening’ rural road toll