Victoria Police’s message to stop winter period from being ‘synonymous with road trauma’

A horror 48 hours on one state’s roads includes the death of a man who was hit by a car while helping a driver change a flat tyre.

A horror 48 hours on Victoria’s roads has prompted police to issue an urgent message to drivers to stop this time of the year from becoming “synonymous with road trauma”.

From Wednesday afternoon to Friday morning, five people died in collisions and crashes in Buxton, Thornhill Park and Bundoora in Melbourne, Geelong and Flynn.

The fatalities bring the state’s road death toll to 114, 19 more than this time last year.

Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said on Friday in a critical road safety alert that police were “really concerned”.

“We are entering a high-risk period on Victorian roads that saw 18 lives lost last year (over the accompanying two-week period). Now is not the time to be complacent when getting behind the wheel,” he said.

“Slowing down, remaining alert and being extra cautious when roads are wet or visibility is affected are simple but lifesaving 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.”

Police and emergency services at a fatal car crash on Plenty Rd in Bundoora on Thursday. Picture: David Crosling

The most recent fatality happened in Flynn on Friday morning about 8.20am.

A 55-year-old Rosedale man reportedly stopped on the Princes Highway to assist a motorist with a flat tyre when he was hit by a car while standing next to his vehicle on the roadway.

The man died at the scene, while the driver of the other car, a 23-year-old Rosedale man, stopped immediately and is assisting police with their inquiries.

Three of the other fatalities involved trucks, with the first death caused after a truck possibly jackknifed and hit a tree on Buxton-Marysville Rd.

Two of the other incidents in Geelong and Thornhill Park reportedly involved pedestrians being hit by trucks.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said police were ‘really concerned’. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police are also looking for witnesses after a serious but non-fatal hit and run in Tarneit on Thursday night.

A 21-year-old woman was crossing Leakes Rd, near the intersection of Penrose Promenade, when she was reportedly struck by a white sedan about 5.45pm.

The driver of the white sedan reportedly did not stop to assist and sped away from the scene, but a man in his 20s has since self-presented to police

The woman was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Police have urged drivers to stay focused and to stick to the rules after distraction and speed were cited as the most common underlying factors in fatal crashes from June 19 to July 4 last year.

Speed was a contributing factor in a third of the collisions during those two weeks, while a quarter of fatalities involved pedestrians.

A recent road policing operation over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend detected more than 5000 traffic offences.

More information and tips for staying safe on the roads are on the Victoria Police website.

Originally published as Victoria Police’s message to stop winter period from being ‘synonymous with road trauma’