Lives lost strengthens focus on tackling road trauma

Published date: 01 Jan 2022

The Victorian Government has reaffirmed its focus on tackling road trauma after the state recorded an increase in the number of lives lost on the state’s roads.

Over the past year, 236 people died on the Victorian roads, compared with 211 in 2020 – this is a preventable loss of life and means many Victorians will be spending their first summer holiday without a family member, friend or colleague.

The year-on-year increase was primarily impacted by an increase in the number of lives lost on metropolitan roads, where there were 117 deaths compared with 84 in 2020. There was also an increase in single vehicle fatal crashes, which accounted for 46 lives lost, compared with 33 last year.

Despite the state-wide increase, regional Victoria recorded its second-lowest number of lives lost on record with 119 deaths compared with 126 in 2020. Crashes on high-speed roads continued to be a challenge in regional Victoria where people are often driving longer distances and fatigue is too often fatal.

Tragically, 36 people died while not wearing a seat belt, well up on the five-year average (23), while 96 fatalities were in vehicles more than 10 years old that often lack the modern safety features known to save lives.

20 pedestrians in metropolitan Melbourne and nine in regional Victoria lost their lives, while cyclist fatalities (10) were down on the 14 recorded in 2020.

Motorcyclist deaths increased to 41 (from 32 in 2020) and were equal with the five-year average, with 26 of these occurring on metropolitan roads.

There is more to be done to end road trauma, and the government will continue to work with the Road Safety Partnership, industry partners, and the community.

The Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and Action Plan works across policy, education, technology, enforcement, vehicle safety and infrastructure to improve safety for vulnerable road users.

The Strategy sets ambitious targets to halve road deaths and significantly reduce serious injuries by 2030 and sets the state on a path to zero road deaths by 2050.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll

“Far too many families feel the pain of losing a loved one or having their lives changed forever due to serious injury, which is why we’re continuing to make significant investment in education, technology, infrastructure and vehicle safety to end road trauma.”

“We have looked out for each other over the last two years and now as Victorians enjoy travelling and the holidays in the new year let’s carry that attitude with us and help each other stay safe by being calm and taking it easy on the roads.”

Quotes attributable to Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore

“Victoria’s road safety agencies are working together to protect Victorian road users and will continue rolling out the measures required to achieve this, but we can’t do it alone - everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe.”

“Whether you’re driving, riding or crossing the road, please make the right choices – pay extra attention, share the road safely, click in your seat belt, stick to the speed limit and don’t drive drunk or on drugs.”