Road trauma kills 28 young people in Casey in decade

HEARTBREAKING figures reveal 28 young people — 10 of them children — have lost their lives on Casey roads in the past decade. It’s time to stop the scourge and keep our kids safe!

TWENTY-EIGHT young people — 10 of them children — have lost their lives on roads in the City of Casey over the past decade, Transport Accident Commission (TAC) figures reveal.

The municipality came second only to Yarra Ranges for road fatalities. Three of the kids who died were under four years old and seven of them were aged between five and 15.

Today Leader Community News and the TAC are calling for an end to the scourge behind the hundreds of unnecessary deaths of people aged under 25.

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“We’ve made great gains in making our roads safer over the past few decades, but the fact that transport accidents remain one of the leading causes of death of young Victorians shows there is still much to be done,” TAC chief executive Joe Calafiore said.

“By their very nature, young drivers are inexperienced and some are prone to taking risks, but we shouldn’t accept that this as an excuse for the hundreds of young people we’ve had die on our roads over the past decade.”

Ma Li Dai and her 14-year-old daughter Xinyu Yuan were killed in a horror smash on South Gippsland Highway in August, 2017. Picture: Gary Sissons

TAC figures also revealed a hidden road toll, with more than 900 young people taken to hospital after crashes over the past 10 years.

Dr Sjaan Koppel, of the Monash University Accident Research Centre said a study of driver behaviour found many parents were not restraining their children properly.

“Cars are designed for adults,” Dr Koppel said.

“Research out there shows incorrect and inappropriate restraints are significantly related to adverse outcomes, be that injury or death.”

The community was rocked by the deaths of four teenagers at the corner of Hallam and Ormond roads, Lynbrook, in June, 2009. Picture: ANDREW HENSHAW

Casey Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Leigh Royal said there had been an increase in the number of improperly restrained children found by police during patrols around schools in Casey.

Sgt Royal said driver distraction, especially in peak hour traffic, was becoming a trend in local collisions along with speed and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Every person’s life is important so slow down, remove anything that may distract you — especially mobile phones — while you’re driving and if you choose to drink or use drugs, don’t drive,” Sgt Royal said.

A seven year old child died and four others were seriously injured after a car and a truck collided at the intersection of Lynbrook Blvd and South Gippsland Highway, in March, 2008. Picture: CRAIG BORROW

Casey Mayor Geoff Ablett said road safety was everyone’s responsibility. “Any death on our roads is too many and has devastating impacts on our community, so we’d urge every member of the community to take care, be alert and abide by the rules when behind the wheel,” Cr Ablett said.

One teenager was killed and three others seriously injured in a crash on Narre Warren-Cranbourne Rd, Narre Warren South in November, 2016. Picture: GRANT LYNCH

Roads Minister and Narre Warren North state Labor MP Luke Donnellan said the Andrews Government was educating children as early as possible with $146 million committed to a Young Driver Safety Package.

“The earlier we can start a conversation around road safety — in classrooms, on-road or among friends and family, the better equipped young Victorians will be to drive safely,” Mr Donnellan said.

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