‘Worrying trend’: Victoria Police crack down on road safety after road toll tragically soars in January

Speeding, fatigue and intoxication are among the top causes of Victoria’s deadliest January road toll in more than 15 years, with 34 lives already lost.

Thirty four people have already died on Victorian roads in 2025. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

More than one person has died per day on Victorian roads to start the year, with the state recording its worst January road toll in over 15 years.

Thirty four people have already died on Victorian roads in 2025, up more than 58 per cent than at the same time last year and 12 more fatalities than the five year average.

Victorian Police assistant commissioner Glenn Weir said it was a major concern for cops who were witnessing some “worrying trends”.

Assistant commissioner Glenn Weir says police are ‘appalled’ by January’s road toll. Picture: David Crosling

“Police are appalled at the terrible toll of lives lost in January,” he said. “Sadly, 34 people were killed on Victoria Roads in the first month of the year, compared to 21 in January 2024.

“Nine of these lives lost were motorcyclists, continuing a worrying trend of riders killed in 2024 which saw a spike from the year before.

“Worryingly, 23 of the 34 lives lost so far this year have been in regional Victoria.”

Police have planned meetings with other road safety agencies to look into the tragic start to the year and Commissioner Weir said the onus was on drivers to take care.

“With kids returning to school, good weather, and large traffic volumes, it is vital all Victorians take care of themselves and others on the roads,” he said.

“We can’t enforce our way out of this on our own, police have finite resources to try and provide the visible presence we know will deter bad or careless driving.

“All people on or near roads need to realise this is a problem that needs immediate attention, care and commitment, or else this spike will continue into the remainder of 2025.

“Road Safety partners are meeting on Monday to address both the high figure overall and in particular, motorcyclists losing their lives.”

The start to the year has been harrowing on state roads. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Transport Accident Commission CEO Tracey Slatter also said the start to the year had been harrowing on state roads and it was the same mistakes costing lives.

“Sadly, too many families have started the new year mourning the loss of a loved one, any life lost on our roads is one too many,” she said.

“The contributing factors to road trauma this year are not new, travelling over the speed limit, distractions, drink and drug driving, driving fatigued, and not wearing a seatbelt.

“We also know when people travel longer distances and at higher speeds, these consequences are often far more severe.”

Last year, 284 Victorians died on Victorian roads, down on the 2023 total but still well above the five year average of 249.

Originally published as ‘Worrying trend’: Victoria Police crack down on road safety after road toll tragically soars in January