Victoria worst for fatalities

VICTORIA was the deadliest state for road trauma in November, with the number of fatal crashes skyrocketing by 80 per cent last month.

New data from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics has revealed that 27 people died on Victorian roads in November, compared with 15 the same time last year.

The number of fatalities in NSW and Queensland both dropped from 24 in November 2020, to 21 each this year.

Driver fatalities soared in Cardinia, with the municipality recording a 400 per cent increase from last year, according to TAC data.

The City of Casey also experienced a spike in driver deaths, doubling from last year, and five people were behind the wheel when they lost their lives on the roads in the

Mornington Peninsula this year, compared with zero people killed last year.

In regional Victoria, Greater Bendigo, the Macedon Ranges and the Wellington Shire in Gippsland all recorded rises in driver deaths.

Greater Shepparton and Ballarat both had their road toll for drivers halved in 2021.

Opposition police and community safety spokesman Brad Battin said the government’s “mismanagement” of police had led to a spike in fatalities.

“Daniel Andrews’ mismanagement means Victorian families are less safe on the roads this summer,” Mr Battin said.

“Labor’s failed Covid response has seen frontline officers from across the state redeployed away from local communities, leaving road users at greater risk.”

The state government will deploy a series of “pause stops” on major regional arterial roads over Christmas in a bid to curb a predicted spike in road trauma.

The stops, at Balmattum, Marong, Jeetho and Bungalally, are aimed at reducing fatigue by offering coffee, activities and showbags for kids in a bid to get holiday-makers to pull over for a break.

“We make them as fun and attractive as possible to catch people’s eyes, but it really is about breaking up those long drives,” TAC chief Joe Calafiore said. TAC data has shown drowsy driving contributes to up to 20 per cent of all fatalities on Victorian roads, with sleep deprivation a key factor.

Research shows being awake for 24 hours has the same effect on your driving ability as a blood-alcohol level of 0.1 – double the legal limit.

Roads Minister Ben Carroll said: “The best present you can give your loved ones this festive season is your presence.”