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Victoria’s road toll expected to hit 300 deaths this year, the worst for a decade

VICTORIA is experiencing the worst road trauma in almost 10 years, with the state’s top road cop expecting more than 300 deaths by the end of 2016.

Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer is concerned about the decade-high road toll. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer is concerned about the decade-high road toll. Picture: Alex Coppel.

VICTORIA is experiencing the worst road trauma in almost 10 years, with the state’s top road cop expecting more than 300 deaths by the end of 2016.

More than 180 people have died on Victorian roads this year, 27 more than this time last year.

The latest Transport Accident Commission statistics also revealed men are almost three times as likely to die on the state’s roads than women.

“We haven’t seen trauma like this since 2008 and if we keep going this way, we’re going to top 300 this year,” Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said.

“187 [people] is really concerning and it should be for everyone.

“Since Thursday, we’ve had eight people die on our roads and every one an absolute tragedy.

“The deaths range from a 28-week premature baby to a 93-year-old woman, all in the space of a week.”

Mr Fryer said more than half of the fatalities are single-vehicle crashes.

“We also can’t forget the almost 5000 people who are seriously injured on our roads,” Mr Fryer said.

“Of those, 1100 won’t walk, talk or feed themselves every again.

‘These are life changing injuries, not only for the person themselves but also their families and friends.”

therese.allaui@news.com.au

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/victorias-road-toll-expected-to-hit-300-deaths-this-year-the-worst-for-a-decade/news-story/8ff3ba07fe5c61f501c428ec7780b60f