Police allege drivers’ extreme behaviours contributed to high road toll

Police have revealed exactly what contributed to the shocking number of deaths on the state’s roads in 2023, as hundreds of devastated families prepare for a new year without their loved ones.

A failure to wear seatbelts and “extreme behaviours” behind the wheel are some of the key reasons the state recorded the highest road toll in 15 years in 2023, police say.

As of December 31, 296 lives were lost on Victorian roads — the largest number since 304 people died in collisions in 2008.

Police allege “single acts of non-compliance or people making basic driving errors”, such as failing to obey road signs and red lights, using mobile phones behind the wheel and low-range speeding have accounted for more than half of the deaths, while stunts such as high-range drink driving, illicit drug driving and excessive speeding made up about a quarter of fatal collisions.

Further, about 10 per cent of people killed were not wearing a seatbelt.

Road policing assistant commissioner Glenn Weir said simple mistakes resulted in “catastrophic outcomes”.

“It’s been a horror year on Victorian roads – in particular, it’s been rather extraordinary the severity of collisions we’ve experienced,” he said.

“Whether you’re a driver or passenger, all road users should remember they have a responsibility to keep everyone in the vehicle safe.

“This means sticking to the speed limit, not driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, avoiding distractions, and ensuring everyone is wearing a properly fitted seatbelt.”

Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir. Picture: Jason Edwards

Multiple fatality collisions also surged to “unprecendeted levels”, with the highest number of crashes killing four or more people occuring last year than in any other year since 1987.

“To put this into perspective, this time last year there had been two double fatalities resulting in four deaths.

“This year, we’ve had 14 double fatalities, four quadruple fatalities and two quintuple fatalities, which equates to 54 deaths from 20 collisions,” AC Weir said.

Of the 296 lives lost, 130 were drivers, 56 were passengers, 45 were pedestrians, 51 motorcyclists, nine cyclists and four were categorised as “unknown”.

There were 172 lives lost on regional roads in addition to 124 in Melbourne.

Cobram mum Deborah Markey and abattoir workers Pin-Yun Wang, Hsin-Yu Chen, Wai Yan Lam and Zih-Yao Chen were killed in what was described as the state’s worst crash in a decade after their ute collided with a Mercedes and a milk truck at Strathmerton in April.

Deborah Markey died following a crash at Strathmerton in April 2023. Picture: Facebook

The Mercedes driver Christopher Joannidis has been charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death.

In Daylesford, Pratibha Sharma her nine year old daughter Anvi, partner Jatin Kumar and friend Vevek Bhati and his son Vihann, 11, were killed when a car allegedly driven by William Swale ploughed through the Daylesford hotel during the Melbourne Cup weekend.

He was granted bail in December and will return to court in April.

Pratibha Sharma her daughter Anvi and her partner Jatin Chugh were all killed when a car drove through a beer garden at Daylesford's Royal Hotel.

Pratibha Sharma's house in Point Cook who died after being struck by a car in Daylesford. Pratibha’s family, father Dilver Sharma, mother Urmila Sharma and brother Vikas Sharma. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Among the four quadruple fatalities were four Pacific Islander seasonal workers — David Gasolaga, Aperaamo “Amo” Tapelu Filemu Aleka, Darrick Amouta Peleti and Alesana Anetelea — who crashed into a tree before their car burst into flames near Mansfield.

TAC chief executive Tracey Slatter urged drivers to think of their loved ones when they get behind the wheel in 2024.

“It has been a horrific year on Victorian roads, with far too many families and communities across our state grieving the senseless loss of a loved one,” she said.

“Driving is the most complex and risky activity most of us undertake in our daily lives. Safe driving requires our full attention – think of your family and friends when you get behind the wheel, and make safe choices for them.

“We all need to keep road safety front of mind and take care of one another on the roads – slow down, obey road rules/signs, don’t drink or drug drive, wear a seatbelt and avoid distractions.”