Road toll drops in 2017, but drug drivers still ‘enormous concern’ for police

DRUG drivers will be off our roads for longer under new legislation introduced later this year, as Victoria’s top road cop labels the scourge of drug drivers “appalling”.

DRUG drivers will be off our roads for longer under new legislation introduced later this year as Victoria’s top road cop labels the scourge of drug drivers “appalling”.

It comes as more than 553 drug drivers — or 32 per day — were nabbed on our roads in just 17 days in December.

The road toll is down for the first time in four years, but Victoria Police say still more needs to be done.

255 people lost their lives on Victorian roads in 2017, down from 290 the previous year.

But since the start of Operation Roadwise on 15 December, the state wide holiday safety blitz caught more than 1355 drink and drug drivers behind the wheel of cars.

HOW MANY DRINK/DRUG DRIVERS ARE CAUGHT IN YOUR SUBURB?

KILLER DRUG-DRIVERS GETTING AWAY WITH IT

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said it was “of enormous concern of what we’re catching”.

“The legislation that’s coming in this year is absolutely indicative of how seriously we take the scourge of drug driving,” AC Fryer said.

Tougher sanctions will be introduced from April 30 which includes first time drug drivers immediately losing their license for six months — double the current mandatory penalty.

Accused hit-run driver Sebastian Kennett smashed into a nurse Lynda Hansen in October. Picture: Nicole Garmston

A breakdown of the 2017 road toll revealed:

-COUNTRY roads were responsible for 151 fatal crashes while 104 took place in metropolitan areas.

-TRIPLE fatality crashes skyrocketed by 75 per cent, with 12 people losing their lives in four separate smashes.

-CYCLISTS deaths increased by 50 per cent — up from 8 deaths to 12 last year.

-DEATHS involving 18-24 year old drivers increased 22 per cent.

-32 people were killed during the Easter school holiday period — up 75 per cent on last year.

The horror year on Victorian roads saw police mount a massive manhunt for accused hit-run driver Sebastian Kennett after he allegedly smashed into nurse Lynda Hansen in October.

In August, a mother and daughter were tragically killed by a speeding car while leaving parent teacher interviews in Cranbourne.

Zheng Chuan Yuan’s wife and daughter were killed in a crash outside the school in Cranbourne North. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Four people, including three teenagers, also died when their car smashed into a tree on a back road in Lakes Entrance in November.

And just hours in to 2018, a 58-year-old woman was killed on New Year’s morning in Stawell after the car she was travelling in swerved to avoid a kangaroo and crashed into a tree.

AC Fryer said he felt “deep frustration and sadness” at the results of 2017’s road toll.

Acting roads minister Philip Dalidakis said no number of deaths on Victorian roads was acceptable and the Andrews government would continue to invest in safer roads and driver education.

@GenevieveAlison