GEELONG ROAD TOLL AT EIGHT-YEAR HIGH:

AN EIGHT-YEAR high in the region’s road toll has prompted authorities to plead with drivers to take safety seriously while behind the wheel.

Nine people have lost their lives on Greater Geelong roads so far this year, taking the road toll to a high not seen since 2011.

Geelong Highway Patrol Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Quick said drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs continued to be a problem.

“You have to err on the side of caution and not take a punt when getting behind the wheel,” Sen-Sgt Quick said.

Sixteen drug-drivers and eight over the blood alcohol limit were caught by police across the AFL Grand Final long weekend.

About 90 leadfoot drivers were also nabbed, including a 38-year-old woman clocked at 99km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Hamilton Highway at Inverleigh. Sen-Sgt Quick said drivers must stick to speed limits, take appropriate breaks and maintain focus.

“We urge people to be respectful and vigilant while behind the wheel,” he said.

Men continue to be overrepresented in fatal road incidents, with seven of the nine killed on Geelong roads this year being males. Of those nine, there were five drivers, two pedestrians, one motorcyclist and one passenger.

TAC chief executive officer Joe Calafiore said the organisation received thousands of claims from people seriously injured on the roads each year.

“It’s impossible to quantify the physical and mental effect that has on those injured and their family and friends,” Mr Calafiore said.

“Regional Victorians are traditionally over-represented in road trauma and the number of people killed in crashes in the City of Greater Geelong is the highest for this time of year since 2011 and has already surpassed last year’s total.”

Road Safety Minister Jaala Pulford said the government was taking “unprecedented action” to ensure death and serious injuries weren’t the consequences of a simple mistake on the road.

“People are being seriously injured or killed on our roads whether they’re on the highspeed road to Melbourne or if they’re crossing the street,” Ms Pulford said.

One-third of deaths and 44 per cent of serious injuries on Victoria’s roads occur at intersections, according to the TAC.

The State Government is seeking community input for Victoria’s next road-safety strategy via an online survey at engage.vic.gov.au/TZ2020.