Victoria’s 10 deadliest roads revealed
Victoria’s most dangerous major road has been revealed, with 27 people losing their lives in crashes in recent years.
The Western Highway is Victoria’s most dangerous major road, with 27 people losing their lives in crashes on it over the last five years.
New figures obtained by the Saturday Herald Sun have revealed the 10 deadliest roads in the state.
On average, 5.4 lives are lost on the Western Highway each year. A horror year in 2019 saw eight deaths.
The eastern section of the Princes Highway recorded the most fatalities in 2020, a year in which many Victorians spent more time at home.
In Melbourne, one of the busiest state routes was responsible for more road deaths than any other part of the city.
This corridor includes Bell St in the north and Springvale Rd in the southeast, and has been linked to 14 deaths since 2016.
A Department of Transport spokesman said driver behaviour was a factor in many of the fatal crashes.
“There are many factors which can contribute to crashes on our roads and the decisions we make behind the wheel play a big role. Poor choices can and do have consequences — and they can be deadly,” he said.
“Some motorists are still choosing to ignore speed limits, drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or pick up the mobile phone while driving, and that’s costing lives.”
Victoria’s most dangerous roads all feature long stretches of highway and higher speed zones.
In response, the state government and the TAC have installed flexible road barriers to reduce the risk where cars run off the road.
TAC research shows new upgrades on the Princes Freeway West, from Altona North and Corio; the Princes Freeway, Traralgon to Sale; the Goulburn Valley Highway, Yea to Molesworth; and the Bass Highway have dramatically reduced serious injuries.
It is expected further changes could be rolled to other parts of these roads and to dangerous corridors such as the Western Highway
“One death on our roads is one too many,” the spokesman said.
“That is why we are doing everything we can to reduce road trauma and save lives.
“Our crews are out on the network installing safety upgrades along thousands of kilometres of our roads to prevent head-on and run-off-road crashes, the biggest causes of death on regional roads.”
OUR 10 MOST DANGEROUS CORRIDORS
WESTERN HIGHWAY
Fatalities
Five year average: 5.4
2016: 9
2017: 3
2018: 3
2019: 8
2020: 4
Vehicles per day: 61,000
MIDLAND HIGHWAY
Fatalities
Five year average: 4.8
2016: 6
2017: 9
2018: 2
2019: 4
2020: 3
Vehicles per day: 34,000
MURRAY VALLEY HIGHWAY
Fatalities
Five year average: 4.6
2016: 5
2017: 6
2018: 4
2019: 5
2020: 3
Vehicles per day: 22,000
PRINCES HIGHWAY EAST
Fatalities
Five year average: 4.6
2016: 4
2017: 5
2018: 7
2019: 2
2020: 5
Vehicles per day: 94,000
SOUTH GIPPSLAND HIGHWAY
Fatalities
Five year average: 4.6
2016: 3
2017: 4
2018: 6
2019: 6
2020: 4
Vehicles per day: 51,000
PRINCES HIGHWAY WEST
Fatalities
Five year average: 3.8
2016: 3
2017: 3
2018: 4
2019: 6
2020: 3
Vehicles per day: 52,000
CALDER HIGHWAY
Fatalities
Five year average: 3.4
2016: 3
2017: 5
2018: 1
2019: 5
2020: 3
Vehicles per day: 30,000
STATE ROUTE 40
This roads is made up of multiple streets classified as one long state road corridor, starting at Bell St and ending in Springvale
(Bell St, Banskia St, Manningham Rd, Williamsons Rd, Doncaster Rd, Mitcham Rd, Spring Rd Edithvale Rd)
Fatalities
Five year average: 2.8
2016: 2
2017: 4
2018: 1
2019: 3
2020: 4
Vehicles per day: 67,000
GOULBURN VALLEY HIGHWAY
Fatalities
Five year average: 2.4
2016: 3
2017: 1
2018: 2
2019: 3
2020: 3
Vehicles per day: 29,000
HUME FREEWAY
Fatalities
Five year average: 2.4
2016: 2
2017: 7
2018: 1
2019: 0
2020: 2
Vehicles per day: 62,000
Originally published as Victoria’s 10 deadliest roads revealed
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