TAC plea for holiday safety as December road toll mounts

19 Dec 2013

A run of 19 road fatalities in 18 days has prompted a plea to Victorians to keep safe as the community heads into the busiest time of the year on the roads.

Transport Accident Commission Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said that despite a positive start to the year, the state was heading towards a tragic December road toll.

With 13 days still remaining in December, including the dangerous Christmas/New Year period, this month's road toll is at 19 – just five less than last year's December total.

"This is more than a statistic, this is 19 people who will not see Christmas, and countless others who will be experiencing unimaginable sadness going into what should be a happy time of year," Ms Dore said.

"It should be unacceptable to the community to have this many fatalities on the eve of the holiday season. This should be a wake-up call to everyone using the roads this summer."

The 2013 road toll currently stands at 232, 40 less than at the same time last year.

"Unless every road user makes a solid commitment to safe driving this holiday season, it is inevitable that more families will experience a knock on the door from police telling them a loved one won't be coming home.

"If you've had something to drink or you feel tired or distracted, you really have to stop and ask yourself whether you should be driving."

Ms Dore said fatigue was a major factor in road trauma over holiday periods, with many Victorians travelling long distances on unfamiliar roads.

"If you are driving after 17 hours without sleep, it is the same as driving with a 0.05 blood alcohol content," she said.

"The easiest way to keep yourselves and others safe at this time of year is to plan ahead. If you're planning to consume alcohol, make sure you have a safe way to get home and if you're travelling long distances, take plenty of rest breaks and don't speed or allow yourself to be distracted."

Reducing death and serious injury is a key objective of the Victorian Government's 10-year Road Safety Strategy. To view the Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan visit www.roadsafety.vic.gov.au

For more information contact Emily Bogue on 0429 416 778

To help you get through the remaining festive season safely, download one of these designated driver vouchers below or visit www. tac.vic.gov.au/xmas for more information and vouchers.