MP says one change to the way Victorians drive could save lives

Daniel Andrews says people making “better choices” would help tackle the soaring road toll as a push grows to force Victorian drivers to keep their headlights on at all times.

Premier Daniel Andrews says Victoria is always happy to consider new ideas after a radical proposal to change Victoria’s road rules.

Upper House MP Nick McGowan is pushing for laws that would require drivers to keep driving lights on during the day in a bid to tackle the soaring road toll.

The move would follow countries such as Canada, which have made daytime running lights (DRLs) mandatory.

A study published by Monash University last month called for DRLs, which activate even when a car’s main lights are turned off, to be mandatory on all new vehicles.

It found the technology could reduce the risk of crashes by up to 20 per cent.

While an increasing number of new cars have DRLs as standard, Mr McGowan said ­requiring drivers to switch on their lights was “common sense” and cost nothing.

Research has found technology ensuring headlights are switched on during the day may reduce the chances of crashing. Picture: Tony Gough

It would also mean older ­vehicles did not need to be retrofitted with extra features.

“We can’t sit by and do nothing,” he said. “When we have clear evidence that by simply turning our lights on we can ­reduce the likelihood of death or serious injury on our roads then we must act.

“This simple change not only wouldn’t hit the hip pocket of a single household, it would also make everyone’s driving ­experience safer.”

The Monash University study found that daytime running lights reduced non night-time multi-vehicle crashes by up to 8.8 per cent.

Crash reductions were highest at dawn or dusk and in higher speed zones.

DRLs have been mandatory in Europe for new cars and small delivery vans since 2011, and for trucks and buses since 2012.

Mr McGowan will on Thursday move a motion calling on the Andrews government to explore phasing in new laws.

He also wants the state to petition the federal government to require all new vehicle imports have DRLs installed.

“There’s no silver bullet when it comes to road safety, but this is a great start,” Mr McGowan said.

“In introducing this change, it is important we allow for a fair-minded transition period. We must educate and inform the public.

“Historically, Victoria has led the way in road safety worldwide but in recent years we’ve ignored research or have been too slow to act to introduce world’s best practice. We owe it to all Victorians to make our roads as safe as we can.”

Daniel Andrews says speed is the predominant cause of collisions, followed by impairment. Picture: Nicki Connolly

On Thursday morning, the Premier reacted to the proposal, saying “we do, I have to say, take our advice from Victoria Police and from the TAC and I think that’s the way people want it.

“Not to say that ideas that come from other sources are bad ideas.”

Mr Andrews said claims of 20 per cent reduction in the risk of crashes from the change was unlikely to mean the road toll fell by 20 per cent.

He said the current road toll of 135 was already too many, with deaths rising in Victoria and other states back to pre-pandemic levels.

“That’s not an excuse and we can’t really explain some of this,” Mr Andrews said

“Other than to say that speed, fatigue, alcohol, drugs and not wearing seatbelts are still the predominant factors for people losing their lives on the road.

“Victoria Police are very focused on this, as is the TAC and as is our government.

“We’ll be looking and analysing the data, looking at anything we can do that will make a meaningful difference.

“But as we stand here right now, the thing that will change these numbers is if people make better choices

“Please for heaven’s sake, please wear a seatbelt.

“It’s such a simple thing but it works.”

Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne said she had met with her counterparts in other states and they were reporting a similar rise in deadly crashes.

“We’re obviously working through our road action plan and we have our targets to reduce the road toll,” she said.

“But it is speed that is the predominant cause of collisions followed then by impairment, so drug and alcohol use.

“The road toll is something that is way too high. “But it’s something that we all have a shared responsibility in being able to sit down and be able to be aware of our circumstances and take care out on the roads.”

Tributes at the scene of a horror crash where four people were killed near Hamilton. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Victoria is tracking to record its deadliest year on the road since 2008, when 304 people lost their lives. As of Wednesday night, 134 fatalities had been recorded, with a major spike in tragedies on rural roads.

On Wednesday, another motion put by the opposition to recognise the poor state of roads was voted down in the Legislative Council.

“Labor is refusing to accept that there is a problem,” opposition spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said. “Victoria is broke and Victorians are paying the price with the federal and state budgets cutting road funding at a time when our roads have never been worse and the road toll has skyrocketed.”

Ms Crozier said last week’s budget showed a $380m reduction in annual spending on road maintenance since 2020.