Top traffic cop says driver behaviour worse post Covid

Traffic levels are back to pre-pandemic levels for the first time but Victoria’s top traffic cop says driver behaviour is much worse than before Covid.

Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith said motorists are driving in a “heightened state.”

Victoria’s top traffic cop says driver behaviour has deteriorated in the post-Covid era.

Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith said he sensed drivers were more distracted and burdened by worry.

Mr Goldsmith said it remained an issue as traffic levels returned to pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

“I feel people are more anxious on the roads. It’s like they’re driving in a heightened state,” he told the Herald Sun.

“As a driver, rider or pedestrian, being in a highly anxious state near the roads can have disastrous impacts by placing people at a higher risk of being involved in road trauma.”

Mr Goldsmith said drivers’ peripherals were narrowed when they were in that heightened state.

He said there was great importance in “being present” when driving.

That meant “striking the right balance of being vigilant in respect to hazards on the road but also being relaxed and as free of tension/anxiety as possible.”

Mr Goldsmith said police road law enforcement was now back to pre-Covid levels, in line with traffic volumes.

On December 13, 9.25 million trips were recorded, in line with the rate before the pandemic.

Public transport continues to crawl back more slowly with passenger numbers last week on average just 72 per cent of 2019 levels.

In response, the transport department has launched a new campaign urging more people to use public transport over summer.

“Traffic volumes continue to build across metropolitan Melbourne, with volumes approaching pre-pandemic levels,” a spokesman said.

“We’ve got thousands of bus, train and tram services per week, making it easier to get where you need to go. It’s important to plan ahead and consider other ways to travel.

“We’re also making public transport free to use on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, making it easier to celebrate with friends and family across the state.”

The government’s “Smarter Roads” program is also analysing thousands of roads across Melbourne and looking for changes to manage green lights better and reduce traffic snarls.

About 800 intersections have already been assessed in the city’s west, east and south-east and 3500 will be completed by 2026.