Warning for drivers planning regional road trips over the Christmas break

Melburnians planning trips these holidays are warned regional roads will be busier than normal, sparking fears of a spike in fatal crashes.

A giant digital advent calendar has descended on Federation Square in Melbourne’s CBD today, sparking attention, excitement and education around road safety in the lead up to Christmas.

Authorities have warned this year roads will be busier than ever with Victorians choosing to holiday locally and reunite with loved ones.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has launched the ‘Spend it Wisely’ campaign to remind drivers of road safety tips across the 25 days of Christmas.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has launched the ‘Spend it Wisely’ campaign.

Minister for Road Safety Ben Carroll said the festive break would be busier than ever more Victorians take to the roads state-based vacations.

“Many Victorians won’t have driven long distances this year, particularly at high speed on unfamiliar roads, so it’s crucial for people to take extra care as they head off on their road trip,” he said.

“Regional roads will be busier than normal this festive season with people travelling to see loved ones, so we all need to make safe choices – slow down, don’t drink and drive, avoid distractions, and avoid driving tired.”

Between December 1, 2019 and January 6, 2020 during the peak holiday travel period 26 people were killed on Victorian roads including 274 people were hospitalised with injuries from road crashes across the state, according to TAC data.

Just days after Christmas a father was left in shock after his 37-year-old wife and 5-year-old son died in a collision in Kingston.

Two hours into the new year a 26-year-old motorcyclist collided with a vehicle and lost his life.

TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield said Melburnian’s driving on high-speed roads in regional areas were most at risk.

“We know the roads are getting busier as we move toward the festive season and it’s so important that we are vigilant and well prepared when we’re behind the wheel,” she said. 

“Sadly, country Victoria is where we see the majority of road deaths because of the distances we travel and the high-speed roads we travel on.”

To tackle dangerous driving over the last festive period Victoria Police launched operation roadwise which detected 2910 criminal offences on the roads between December 19, 2020 and January 5, 2021.

Police caught 629 drink drivers, 621 drug drivers and 522 disqualified or suspended drivers on the road.

If you are caught with a drug or alcohol reading over the limit you can face heavy fines, lose your licence and more the most serious offences you risk going to jail.

A large digital advent calendar has been put up by TAC in Federation Square which offers safety advice, discounts and giveaways including a Melbourne staycation, lunch at Arbory Afloat and a Emporium shopping voucher.

TAC campaign ambassadors will also visit Bendigo, Shepparton, Traralgon, Morwell, Ballarat and Geelong throughout December, providing advent calendars to regional Victorians.

To receive safety tips and enter the daily prize draw head to tac.vic.gov.au/spenditwisely or visit the advent calendar in Federation Square.