Police warning after horror 24 hours on Victorian roads

Police have issued a road safety alert as the state’s road toll reaches 113 after a horror 24 hours on the road with four deaths including a pedestrian being hit by a truck in Geelong.

Four lives have been lost on Victorian roads in 24 hours, prompting police to issue a winter road safety alert.

The alert, issued Friday morning, comes after fatal collisions in Buxton, Thornhill Park and Bundoora in Melbourne and Geelong.

The fatalities bring the state’s road toll to 113 – 18 higher than the same time last year.

The latest accident resulted in a pedestrian being killed after being hit by a truck in Geelong on Thursday evening.

The pedestrian, a 55-year-old Corio man, was taken to hospital with life-threatening-injuries but died.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir issued the warning on Friday. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police are also appealing for witnesses after a 21-year-old woman was left injured in the middle of the road after being hit by a white sedan in Tarneit on Thursday evening.

The woman was crossing Leakes Road near the intersection of Penrose Promenade at about 5.45 when she was struck.

The driver of the white sedan did not stop to assist the young woman and sped away from the scene, east bound towards Derrimut Road.

Another passing motorist stopped to assist and raised the alarm.

Road Policing assistant commissioner Glenn Weir said the state was entering a high-risk period on Victorian roads that saw 18 lives lost last year.

“Now is not the time to be complacent when getting behind the wheel,” he said on Friday.

“Slowing down, remaining alert and being extra cautious when roads are wet or visibility is affected are simple, but life-saving measures all motorists can take to protect themselves and other road users.

“Police will remain highly visible and on the lookout for any risky driver behaviour. We are determined to do everything we can to ensure this period does not become synonymous with road trauma”

Distraction and speed were last year cited as the most common underlying factors in fatal crashes during the period of concern, spanning from 19 June to 4 July.