‘One death is too many’: Traffic cop sets ambitious target

Victoria’s new traffic cop says witnessing the “horrific” Eastern Freeway tragedy has driven him to make 2021 the safest year on our roads.

Victoria’s new top traffic cop wants 2021 to be the ­safest year on the state’s roads since records began in 1970 by setting the ambitious target of recording no more than 200 fatalities.

Road Policing Command assistant commissioner Glenn Weir is stepping into the post after four decades on the beat and aims to curb expert projections that 229 people will die on Victorian roads this year.

Mr Weir said he was driven to achieve better road-safety outcomes after witnessing the “catastrophic” Eastern Freeway tragedy last year where four of his colleagues died on the job.

“Our goal is to get the lives lost figure as low as possible; one death is one too many,” he said. “I’d really like this year to aim for less than 200 deaths and unless we have a real goal, we might not be able to achieve it. I know it is an ambitious target, but I want the community to work with us.”

Incoming road safety Police Commissioner Glenn Weir with a new Highway Patrol vehicle. Picture: Jason Edwards

Tragically, 149 people have already died on Victorian roads this year, despite multiple lockdowns resulting in a large reduction of traffic over prolonged periods of time.

Mr Weir said nothing prepared him for witnessing the “horrific” scene of the Eastern Freeway tragedy on April 22 last year.

“I never thought I’d see the scale of that collision – that scene will remain with me for a very long time,” he said.

“Seeing the impact of the ridiculously high speeds and impaired driving in a vehicle on what should be one of the safest roads in Victoria, is something I will never forget.

“It just shows you human behaviour and disregard for the basics of common sense and road laws can have catastrophic consequences.”

He said sophisticated automatic number plate technology was helping police to crack down on those drivers flouting the law.

“Be assured, we will absolutely enforce the law and hold people who disregard the road rules to account,” he said.

The tragic aftermath of the Eastern Freeway crash. Picture: AAP Image

Mr Weir said police were concerned about driver behaviour when we emerge from stage 4 restrictions.

“Each lockdown, we have seen a disproportionate level of dangerous and high-risk behaviour from a number of people on our roads,” he said. “I’m really concerned about the risk coming out of this lockdown.

“When things go wrong on our roads, it is very sobering. Speed, intoxication and distraction are still predominant and pre-eminent contributing factors to road trauma.

“We can do it if we work together. We all need to take care and be respectful. I’m pleading to everyone to pay attention. What’s the rush? Take that extra bit of time.”