Provisional 2014 Road Toll Announced

01 Jan 2015

The Victorian Road Toll has increased for the first time since 2005 with a sharp increase in pedestrian deaths a major concern for police.

The provisional road toll for 2014 released today showed 248 people were killed on roads across the state, five more deaths than in 2013.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said two quadruple fatality and three triple fatality collisions also contributed significantly to the increase in the road toll.

"We had five collisions which claimed a total of 17 lives, there were no triple or quadruple collisions in 2013 and I hope we don't see devastation on that scale ever again," he said.

"Pedestrians are amongst our most vulnerable road users and tragically we have had 44 reminders of that vulnerability. I can't emphasise enough how important it is to pay attention and look after not only yourself but others on the roads.

"Every person killed on our roads this year has friends and family who are grieving and sadly there is nothing I can say or do that can take their pain away," he said.

"There is a lot more work to do before we reach the target of zero deaths and zero serious injuries on our roads but I'm very confident that we are on the right track.

"In the last decade the road toll has dropped from 346 to 248 despite a growing population and increased numbers of people using the roads.

"I thank the vast majority of Victorians who drive within the speed limit, don't drink or take drugs and drive, use a seat belt, take breaks on long trips and aren't tempted to use their mobile phone behind the wheel."

The provisional road toll results show that in 2014 (data compared to 2013)

• There were 248 fatalities resulting from 223 fatal collisions
• The number of pedestrians deaths rose by more than 40 per cent in 2014, with 44 killed compared to 31 in 2013
• There were 111 deaths in metropolitan Melbourne, up from 102 in 2013
• There were 137 deaths in country Victoria, down from 141 in 2013
• Males accounted for the majority of those killed (178 compared with 70 females killed)
• Young people continue to be over represented in road trauma with 46 aged between 18-25 killed in 2014, or 18.5 per cent of the road toll
• November recorded the most fatalities with 28, while April and December had the least with 14
• 115 of those killed were drivers, six less than in 2013
• Motorcyclist deaths dropped by 25 per cent, with 30 killed this year compared to 41 in 2013
• 59 people were killed in 50 collisions involving heavy vehicles, an increase of 90 per cent. However investigators deemed the heavy vehicle driver was not at fault in 35 of the collisions.
• The number of road users aged 80+ killed dropped from 32 to 22.

Mr Hill said the terrible danger of drug driving was tragically highlighted again in 2014.

"Three people were killed and four injured in Oakleigh when a man affected by the drug ice ran a red light at high speed and hit a car and a pedestrian.

"This is just one reason why Victoria Police is committed to leading the country by expanding our road side drug testing program to all highway patrol units across the state and conducting 100,000 tests by the end of October this year.   

Victoria Police and the road safety partners are already working together to address the trends witnessed in 2014, Mr Hill added.

"The provisional statistics show more than 80 per cent of fatal collisions on rural roads occurred in 100 km/h or 110km/h which is obviously a concern and will continue to be a focus of the Safer Country Roads Plan launched in October 2014.

"The TAC and VicRoads will have a major focus on improving safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists and continuing their important work preparing young motorists to use the road safely and responsibly.

"The TAC and VicRoads will also continue to roll out the $1 billion investment in the Safe System Road Infrastructure Program, making safety improvements to roads across Victoria.

"Victoria Police is committed to working with local communities to reduce road trauma across the state.

"Together with our Road Safety Partners, the TAC, VicRoads, the Department of Justice and Government we are confident we can reduce road trauma in Victoria and continue the road to zero in 2015."

For a breakdown on the 2014 Road Toll please watch this short, animated video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OjTIwzF-qk

Please note: The 2014 road toll data released today is provisional only and subject to change as some deaths may be removed or added for a number of reasons. The Road Fatality Review Panel will meet in January and final 2014 road toll figures will be available on 1 February, 2015.

Victorian road toll

2014 - 248
2013 - 243
2012 – 282
2011 – 287
2010 – 288
2009 – 290
2008 – 303
2007 – 332
2006 – 337
2005 – 346
2004 – 343
2003 – 330
2002 – 397
2001 – 444
2000 – 407
1999 – 383
1998 – 390
1997 – 377
1996 – 417
1995 – 418
1994 – 378
1993 – 436
1992 – 396
1991 – 503
1990 – 548

Analysis of 2014 provisional road toll statistics: