Lockdown aids road toll

THE number of lives lost on Victoria’s roads has dropped dramatically amid the coronavirus lockdown, with 19 fewer people killed in May than during the same period last year.

As of May 28, fatalities in rural areas (53) were down more than 30 per cent compared with the same period in 2019 and lower than the fiveyear average (60).

Across the state, 95 people have died compared to 130 in 2019. Transport Accident Commission data shows fewer people have died locally too.

Five deaths were recorded as of May 28 on Surf Coast, Greater Geelong, ColacOtway and Corangamite roads in 2020, compared with nine fatalities in the same period last year.

The biggest drop in road deaths was recorded in May, with 12 people dying on Victorian roads compared to 31 in 2019.

But despite coronavirus regulations leading to record low traffic numbers, more people were killed on roads in April this year than in 2019.

With thousands of Victorians expected to take advantage of eased restrictions and travel along the coast for the upcoming Queen’s Birthday weekend, authorities are urging drivers not to be complacent.

Geelong Highway Patrol acting senior sergeant Peter Quick said police had still been alarmed by the high speeds clocked by some motorists.

“There is no natural buffer of traffic, so there has been nothing to stop or slow motorists who are doing high speeds,” Sen-Sgt Quick said.

But he said police had been largely pleased with the behaviour of motorists and did not want to see a rise in crashes in coming weeks.

A heightened police presence can be expected on all roads as police conduct Operation Regal over the long weekend. Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC Jaala Pulford said she did not want to see the number of lives lost to rise in June.

“Any decrease in the loss of life on our roads is encouraging and we want to see that trend continue every month of every year,” Ms Pulford said.

“We’re also seeing the benefits of road safety infrastructure improvements rolled out in recent years on high-risk roads. We want every Victorian to get home safely after travelling on our roads and we can all make safe choices and play a role in keeping our roads safe.”

TAC head of road safety Samantha Cockfield challenged drivers to plan their journey, look out for each other and make safe choices.

“We’ve seen fewer deaths this year as well as a welcome reduction in lives lost on regional roads, which is where we too often see a higher number of fatalities,” she said.

“We are asking everyone to play their part in keeping our roads safe.”