Victoria set for lowest death toll since records began

Victoria is on track to finish 2018 with the lowest annual road toll since records began — but shocking new figures also show thousands of holidaying motorists are still flouting the rules, causing police to fear for the safety of road users as the new year approaches.

Police say motorists are still flouting the laws. File image: Mike Dugdale

Victoria is on track to finish 2018 with the lowest annual road toll since records began.

As of Thursday night, the year’s road toll was 210 deaths, compared with last year’s 258 total.

The lowest annual total since Transport Accident Commission statistics began in 1987 was 243 deaths, in 2013.

But shocking new figures also show thousands of holidaying motorists are still flouting the rules, causing police to fear for the safety of road users as the new year approaches.

THE DEADLIEST TIME TO BE ON VICTORIAN ROADS

DEADLIEST RURAL ROAD IN VICTORIA NAMED

Over the past fortnight, Victoria Police have caught 6386 drivers speeding; 477, or one in 10 tested, under the influence of drugs; 536 over the alcohol limit; 790 unlicensed; almost 600 not wearing seatbelts; and about 90 a day illegally texting or talking on a mobile phone.

One texter had been charged with the offence a week before — on the same stretch of road.

Of the speeders, 719 were at least 25kmh over the limit. Another 4840 were 10-25kmh over the limit, 22 per cent more than at the same time last year.

About 90 motorists a day are caught using their phones while on the road. Picture: Mark Stewart

Authorities are working to bring the number of road deaths below 200 by 2020.

TAC chief executive Joe Calafiore said: “This year has shown us that by setting a long-term plan targeting our key road safety risks in Victoria, we can substantially reduce the number of people being killed on our roads.

“The most notable reductions we have seen this year have been fatalities on high-speed regional roads, as well as cyclist deaths and fatalities of young drivers.

“It is important to acknowledge that the majority of drivers and riders are safe road users, and the behaviour of Victorian motorists has contributed to the improvement we have seen this year,” Mr Calafiore said.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane (roads) said an expansion of drug testing and infrastructure improvements, such as the installation of wire rope barriers, had contributed to the reduction in road deaths.

“The effects of people losing lives … it’s an enormous boulder in a small pool. The ripple is huge,” he said.

“Anybody that’s connected to that person … it can ­affect whole communities.”

The Herald Sun can also reveal that Operation Roadwise, the summer police road safety blitz, has also resulted in officers laying 2093 ­charges over non-road-­related criminal offences.

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RADICAL PLAN TO SLASH VICTORIA’S ROAD DEATHS

VICTORIA’S HIDDEN ROAD TOLL CURSE

PHONE USE PROBLEM FOR YOUNG DRIVERS

Operation Roadwise is ­focusing on leading causes of trauma, including speed, distraction, fatigue and impairment from drugs and alcohol.

“If you don’t have to use your car, don’t use it … plan ahead,” Mr Leane said.

Road Safety Minister Jaala Pulford said the ­government’s $1.4 billion Toward Zero plan would continue to build on the state’s road-safety progress.

She said: “A reduction in the number of people dying on our roads is very welcome.

“But the fact remains that hundreds of Victorians have just endured their heartbreaking first Christmas with an empty place at their table.

“We know that one life (lost) is too many, and we have more work to do.”

The RACV’s safety and education manager, Elvira Laza, said motorists should remember the major factors contributing to road crashes.

“They shouldn’t underestimate the simple things they can do to stay safe, such as planning ahead to be able to adapt to different or unfamiliar driving conditions, being well rested, and driving within the speed limit.”

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