Driver appeal

Police are appealing for motorists to show greater patience, pay more attention to conditions and to be vigilant in being defensive and safe after dealing with significant Easter road trauma in the region.

Five crashes in Ararat and Stawell districts on Good Friday, which led to one fatality, two people with serious injuries and others requiring medical attention, prompted the call.

Northern Grampians Acting Inspector Rob Weppner said people needed to consider how much traffic had been on the Western Highway during the weekend and use it for future reference.

“There were thousands of cars travelling to and through the region and people need to recognise this and plan,” he said.

“They need to avoid being in a position where they are in a hurry, must seriously pay attention and try to be familiar with their surroundings.

“And if there was ever a reminder about a need to travel defensively and safely it was at the weekend.

“We obviously need reminders to never be complacent and never think something couldn’t happen to us.”

Acting Inspector Weppner said five car crashes on Friday, which involved traffic on the Western Highway and on minor and urban roads, was both frustrating and disappointing.

“What is really disappointing is that we have had accidents on Friday that occurred on the back of a fatality,” he said.

“Driver impatience, not driving to

conditions, not paying attention – all are recipes for disaster,” he said.

He added there were many obvious signs suggesting the Western Highway was going to be busy last weekend.

“For a start, it is a major highway that connects Melbourne and Adelaide,” he said.

“We also know there is an increase in traffic during Easter, especially when it coincides with school holidays and that this all represents a high risk.

“But it is then up to motorists. Sure, when it comes to holidays it comes down to time – I get that – but we all want to get to our destinations safely without becoming a statistic.

“Don’t be in such a hurry, plan your trips, have breaks and importantly drive safely.”

Acting Inspector Weppner praised the efforts of all emergency-service personnel involved in responding to Friday’s traffic incidents and reminded motorists about a ‘flow-on’ of such events.

“What they see and have to put up with in regards to road trauma and how it stretches resources does affect them and there is no doubt they would also be frustrated,” he said.

“They would have walked away from Friday commenting on how big a day they had and would also be saying it’s something they don’t want to see replicated.”

The road trauma was in stark contrast to other aspects of the Easter weekend across the region involving a police presence.

Acting Inspector Weppner reported few incidents requiring police intervention at and surrounding events such as the Stawell Gift, Great Western Rodeo and Yfest in Warracknabeal.

“We had high, visible and engaged policing presence, especially in and around the Grampians during the Easter period, and we were generally proud of how visitors and locals behaved,” he said.

“We were looking at roughly 10,000 people coming into the Grampians for the weekend and everything was really positive.

“For the sheer volume of people in the area we had a great result.

“Everyone was not only behaving themselves, but also having a great time at family-orientated events and that’s important.”