Six lives lost on Victoria’s roads during festive season, 60 per cent drop since last year

Road safety has improved for drivers in Victoria since last year’s festive season but six people lost their lives behind the wheel over Christmas — and one demographic remains at highest risk.

Victorian drivers have experienced safer roads this Christmas with a 60 per cent drop in holiday season road toll figures.

There were only six fatalities on the roads in the fortnight leading up to Boxing Day this year compared with 15 recorded deaths during the same period in 2023, according to the Transport Accident Commission,

Of the six recorded deaths, half occurred in the Melbourne area and the other half in rural Victoria. No lives were lost on Victorian roads on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

There was a 60 per cent drop in holiday season road toll figures this Christmas season in Victoria compared to last year. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Male drivers made up the majority of this year’s Christmas season road toll with only one woman losing her life behind the wheel.

Last year, motorcyclists made up five of the recorded 15 road deaths between December 12 to 26, whereas that number has been reduced to just one in 2024.

It was also a safer period for Victorian pedestrians with no recorded deaths during the fortnight leading up to Boxing Day this year as opposed to three fatalities last year.

To date Victoria has recorded 279 lost lives on the road in 2024, a decrease of 14 fatalities from this time last year.

TAC Acting CEO Sam Cockfield said: “It’s pleasing to see that people have been listening to the messages of the police and the TAC to sticking within the road rules and keeping their speeds down.”

“We hope this is a sign that road users understand that their risky behaviours can lead to poor outcomes, not only for themselves but for others that they share our roads with.

“As we approach New Year’s Eve and the remainder of the holiday period, we ask people to continue to think about their driving and other road users.”

Originally published as Six lives lost on Victoria’s roads during festive season, 60 per cent drop since last year