30 Nov 2012
Four Victorians touched by the state's road toll have joined Premier Ted Baillieu and Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips as they appeal to Victorians to drive safely this Christmas.The group gathered today at A Place to Remember, a special memorial site in Southbank where 257 places have been set at a long table.
"Each of these empty settings represents a Victorian who lost their life on our roads this year, and a family that is grieving because a loved one won't come home this Christmas," Mr Baillieu said.
"I urge Victorians to visit the site to reflect on those who won't be celebrating this Christmas and to make their own personal commitment to be safe on the roads this holiday season."Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said the table would remain in Southbank until Monday to give Victorians an opportunity to leave a written tribute or a candle.
"Historically the number of lives lost on the state's roads increases at the end of the year, which is why this year we are appealing to Victorians to be careful," Mr Rich-Phillips said.
Victorians are also being asked to share their commitment to safety with their family and friends online using the hashtag #aplacetoremember.
David Tierney, whose best mate Brendan died in a motorbike crash three years ago, said Christmas brought with it a heightened sense of loss.
"It's supposed to be so much about family and togetherness, but for many it's the saddest day of the year," Mr Tierney said
"I really hope that anyone who comes along today makes a special effort to share the road safety message this Christmas. Start the conversation, jump online, do anything you can because we really can make a difference," Mr Tierney said.Mr Tierney visited the memorial with Karen Robinson, whose son Ben died in a car crash just over three years ago. They were joined by Digger Elrick and Alex Wall, both of whom are living with serious injuries as a result of transport accidents.
A Place to Remember for those who have lost their lives on regional roads has also been set up at Ballarat Bridge Mall today until 8pm. Visitors to both locations can leave a written tribute or a candle in memory of those who have died.
A Place to Remember, a special memorial site in Southbank and Ballarat Bridge Mall
| MUNICIPALITY | BICYCLIST | DRIVER | MOTORCYCLIST | PASSENGER | PEDESTRIAN | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARARAT | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| BALLARAT | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| BANYULE | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| BASS COAST | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| BAW BAW | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| BAYSIDE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| BENALLA | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| BOROONDARA | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| BRIMBANK | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| CAMPASPE | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| CARDINIA | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| CASEY | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| COLAC-OTWAY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| DAREBIN | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| EAST GIPPSLAND | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| FRANKSTON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| GANNAWARRA | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| GLEN EIRA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| GREATER BENDIGO | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| GREATER DANDENONG | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| GREATER GEELONG | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| GREATER SHEPPARTON | 0 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| HEPBURN | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| HOBSONS BAY | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| HORSHAM | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| HUME | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| INDIGO | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| KINGSTON | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| LATROBE | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| MACEDON RANGES | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| MANNINGHAM | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| MANSFIELD | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| MARIBYRNONG | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| MAROONDAH | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| MELBOURNE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| MELTON | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| MITCHELL | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| MONASH | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| MOONEE VALLEY | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MOORABOOL | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| MORELAND | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| MORNINGTON PENINSULA | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| MOUNT ALEXANDER | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| MOYNE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| MURRINDINDI | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| NILLUMBIK | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| NORTHERN GRAMPIANS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| PORT PHILLIP | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| SOUTH GIPPSLAND | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| STONNINGTON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| STRATHBOGIE | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| SURF COAST | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| SWAN HILL | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| TOWONG | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| WANGARATTA | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| WELLINGTON | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| WHITEHORSE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| WHITTLESEA | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| WYNDHAM | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| YARRA | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| YARRA RANGES INNER | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| YARRA RANGES OUTER | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| VICTORIA TOTAL | 7 | 131 | 40 | 44 | 34 | 256 |
LGA's with no deaths KNOX, ALPINE, DELATITE, MOIRA, WODONGA, BULOKE, LODDON, CORANGAMITE, GLENELG, GOLDEN PLAINS, QUEENSCLIFFE, WARRNAMBOOL, HINDMARSH, MILDURA, PYRENEES, WEST WIMMERA, YARRIAMBIACK
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