Victoria Police to boost regional highway patrols after horror start to 2023 death toll

More police will patrol rural roads after a deadly start to year, with a massive surge in fatalities across the state.

Victoria Police will boost regional highway patrol units during February after a shocking death toll surge on rural roads. File picture.

New data reveals regional Victorians are dying in shocking numbers on rural roads, prompting police to rollout an urgent road safety blitz in an effort to prevent further tragedy.

Thirty of the 43 people who have died on the roads so far this year were outside Melbourne, with 24 dying in January, a 64 per cent increase on the five-year average for January.

Another six people have died on rural roads in February.

More than 85 per cent of the fatal rural incidents occurred on high-speed roads with speed limits of 80-110km/h.

In announcing a surge in police resourcing resources for regional highway patrols, Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said driver errors resulting from distraction and inattention to surroundings were the leading factors in the deadly start to the year.

“It’s been a terrible start to the year on our roads, and we’re entering another particularly high-risk period,” Mr Weir said.

“The reality is, people residing in regional areas make up the majority of those killed on rural roads.

“It is imperative all road users remain alert, particularly when travelling on high-speed rural roads.”

Police are anxious not to see a repeat of the carnage this time last year when eight people lost their lives between February 12 and 15, with six of those fatalities happening on rural roads.

Mr Weir said highway patrol deployments would be bolstered to regional areas this month, ahead of a major statewide operation over the March Labour Day long weekend.

It comes as regional communities have been rocked by the fatal crashes, including Goulburn Valley truck driver Braedyn Gordon in Yalca on February 7, and Ballarat bakery worker Clover Dove in Meredith last month.

Four people, including Indian tourist Harpal Singh, were killed at Pine Lodge near Shepparton in a horror T-bone crash between a Peugeot and a Toyota Hilux on January 4.

TAC chief executive Joe Calafiore said “crashes on regional roads have continued to be a challenge where people are often driving longer distances and at higher speeds”.

“Unfortunately the factors we are seeing are not new and this level of trauma is preventable – it’s high speeds, it’s risk-taking behaviours, and it’s simple mistakes.

“We need everyone to work together to turn this trend around by putting safety first during every trip they take – slow down, plan ahead, put your phone away, buckle up and don’t drink or drug drive.”

On Friday, The TAC’s website showed the Hume region, which takes in Greater Shepparton, Benalla, Wodonga and Strathbogie, was the deadliest part of regional Victoria this year, with 12 people killed.

Five deaths were also reported in both the Barwon South West and Loddon Mallee regions, while multiple deaths were recorded in Gippsland (four) and the Grampians (three).

All but two of the people killed in regional road accidents this year were passengers in cars, with the toll also including a cyclist in Wangaratta and a motorcyclist near Yarram.

The 30th death recorded Friday was not included in the TAC figures.

THE FACES OF VICTORIA’S REGIONAL ROAD TOLL IN 2023 SO FAR

BRAEDYN GORDON

February 7, Yalca

Braedyn Gordon was killed while driving a truck in Yalca on February, 7. File picture.

The 24-year-old from the Goulburn Valley was killed when his truck collided with car, then veered off the road and hit a tree, at the intersection of Waaia-Bearii Rd and Murray Valley Highway.

In a Facebook tribute, mother Kylie Gordon lamented how she “never got to tell you I love you or goodbye.”

“I don’t know how life will ever be the same again without our adventures fishing and you dragging me everywhere. I so want you back my baby boy,” she wrote.

CLOVER DOVE

January 17, Meredith.

Ballarat baker Clover Dove, originally from Gisborne, was killed in a car crash in Meredith. Picture: Supplied.

The 29-year-old woman, who worked at Ballarat’s 1816 Bakehouse, was a passenger in a white Suzuki involved in an incident on the Midland Highway.

The Suzuki was hit from behind by a Holden Commodore, and then collided with a Toyota HiLux travelling along intersecting McLeod St.

In a Facebook tribute, the bakery said Ms Dove had “a spark for life that was enviable.”

“Her laughter and light will be missed by all of us, and our customers,” they wrote.

ADAM SUTTON

January 31, Glengarry

Adam Sutton died in a three car collision in Glengarry. His son was also injured in the crash.

Mr Sutton, a stock agent described by mate as a “superdad” of two, was killed in a three-car collision at the intersection of Traralgon-Maffra and Farmers roads.

His six-year-old son, Darcy, who was a passenger in his car, was also seriously injured and faces a long road to recovery.

Friend Hayden Rogers said Mr Sutton was “just that fun lad you always wanted around and made life better”.