Victorians urged to keep road toll low

23 Dec 2013

Premier Denis Napthine and members of the the Victorian Ministerial Road Safety Council have made an impassioned plea to all road users to stay alert and stay alive while travelling during this year's Holiday Road Toll period.

Speaking at the Victorian launch of the nationwide "Operation Crossroads" campaign, Dr Napthine said Victoria was headed towards its lowest annual road toll on record but motorists must remain vigilant.

"As of Midnight last night, Victoria's road toll stood at 238, which is 35 fewer than the corresponding day in 2012," Dr Napthine said.

"Victoria's' road toll is on track for another historic low and a sixth consecutive drop, but even one fatality on our road network is one too many.

"We know that the coming days between now and the weekend after New Year represent the most dangerous period on our roads because there are hundreds of thousands of people travelling to family functions and other festivities.

"My plea to all Victorians is to be safe this holiday season, be extra cautious on our roads, stay within the speed limits, make sure you are well-rested before getting behind the wheel and never drink and drive," Dr Napthine said.

The launch of Operation Crossroads also marked the start of the official holiday road toll period, which will run from 23 December 2013 to 3 January 2014.

Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said Victoria Police would be out in force over the next 11 days detecting and removing drivers engaging in risky behaviour such as speeding, drink and drug driving, using mobile phones and not wearing seat belts.

"Everyone has the right to travel on the roads safely, and those drivers who believe that it's acceptable to break speed limits in order to get where they want to go just a few minutes sooner are kidding themselves," Chief Commissioner Lay said.

"They need to wake up and realise that they are putting others at risk. Victoria Police will be continuing its strong enforcement of our road laws, and will accept no excuses for any actions which jeopardise others."

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said Victorians should also be aware that new fixed speed cameras will shortly be activated on the Monash Freeway, south of High Street, Glen Iris, in both directions.

"Motorists will be given two weeks warning that these cameras will soon be in operation via variable message signs which will be placed on the freeway from today. They will be visible on either side of the freeway, carrying the message 'Speed Cameras On Soon'."

The cameras, which will be activated during the week commencing 6 January 2014, detected 1,461 speeding motorists during their testing phase.

Minister for Roads and Public Transport Terry Mulder said it was concerning to see a large number of drivers who were ignoring speed limits.

"While there have been fewer deaths recorded on our road network so far this year compared with previous years, being here at the Alfred Hospital highlights our hidden toll; those who have suffered serious injury in crashes," Mr Mulder said.

"Unfortunately, the number of serious injuries sustained in crashes in Victoria is at a similar level this year compared with previous years.

"This highlights that we still have a long way to go as a community in promoting safe driving and reducing the number of accidents on our road network," Mr Mulder said.

The Alfred's Director of Trauma Services, Professor Mark Fitzgerald said the number of patients presenting to hospital with injuries sustained from accidents on the roads had already started to spike.
"Each year, several thousand trauma patients are brought to The Alfred, with many of the most critically injured being the result of serious road accidents," Professor Fitzgerald said.

"During the holiday season these events unfortunately become more frequent, and at The Alfred we have already begun to see an increase in patients coming through our doors by air and road.

"With advances in modern medicine some patients emerge from hospital with their life intact but, for many, the impact of road trauma is far reaching and long-lasting."

Dr Napthine said he was urging all Victorians to think about this and spread the message to their families who are travelling over the next few weeks. 

Victorians are being encouraged to help their loved ones get home safely this festive season by gifting them a TAC Designated Driver Voucher.

"Everyone wants to see their loved ones get home safely so offering to act as a personal chauffer for a friend or family member is a fantastic gift for the festive season," Dr Napthine said. 

The vouchers are available online at www.tac.vic.gov.au or people can share them with friends from the TAC's Facebook page or you can download a voucher below: