Geelong mum calls for mandatory dashcams in all Victorian cars after Ring Road tragedy
Liam Moreland and Ben Dines died in a horror crash on the Geelong Ring Road. Liam’s mum still doesn’t know what happened that day and says dashcams should be compulsory.
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A Geelong mum whose son died alongside his best mate in a horrific crash last year is calling for mandatory dashcams in all Victorian cars.
Cassie Moreland’s son Liam Moreland, 20, and his friend Ben Dines, 21, died after their blue sedan collided with a black 4WD ute on the Geelong Ring Road in Bell Post Hill on March 20, 2023.
Ms Moreland said there were so many unanswered questions about the shocking fatal smash and no dashcam footage was available. She says vision from that day could have unlocked what really happened.
“Liam was my baby, he was such a charismatic person and it was such a big loss,” she said.
“People think because they are two young boys they must have been doing something wrong
but we don’t know and we might never know.”
The case is still being investigated by a Victorian coroner.
“It messes with you every day,” she said.
“I can’t find any peace.
“I feel like they have just become another statistic and another young driver lost on our roads.”
Ms Moreland started a petition last week calling for dashcams to be mandatory in all vehicles registered in the state and subsidised by the state government.
As of Monday, the petition had attracted more than 700 signatures.
“Police could turn up to a scene and (collect everyone’s dashcam footage),” Ms Moreland said.
“They would have a 360 degree perspective of what happened.
“You would be able to see (the collision) from many angles on the road and everyone will have their answers.”
Ms Moreland hoped the footage could also be reviewed to help make our roads safer.
In 2023, 295 people died on Victorian roads, according to the Transport Accident Commission.
This was a 22.4 per cent increase from 2022.
“You don’t realise the road toll unless it affects you,” Ms Moreland said.
“I don’t want any other family to go through this and I want to be the last mum that is left asking questions.
“It’s been heartbreaking and I know I’m never going to have answers, I’ve had to get my head around that.
“I don’t want their deaths to be for nothing.”
Police often appeal for dashcam or CCTV vision after a collision and the footage can be a valuable source of information for investigators.
A Victoria Police spokesman said it could not comment further as the matter was before the Coroner’s Court.
“Any decision around mandatory dashcams in vehicles would be a matter for government,” the spokesman said.
The department of transport been contacted for comment.
To sign the petition, head to change.org/support-mandatory-dash-cams-in-victoria-save-lives-and-provide-clarity.
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Originally published as Geelong mum calls for mandatory dashcams in all Victorian cars after Ring Road tragedy
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