Victoria Police is pleading with motorists to take care on the state’s roads this year after the state recorded 236 lives lost in 2021.
Although the figure is the third lowest number of lives lost since TAC records began more than 30 years ago, police are determined to do all they can to stop needless loss of life.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir today joined Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll and Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore to reaffirm their combined commitment to reduce road trauma.
The number of lives lost in 2021, while well below the five-year average of 247.8, was up from 211 in 2020. It occurred despite significant periods of low traffic volumes due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting movement across the state
There were 117 lives lost on metropolitan roads, up from 85 in 2020. The figure exceeded the five-year average of 110.8.
Regional Victoria recorded 119 lives lost, down from 126 in 2020. It was well below the five-year average of 137.
Speeding continues to be a leading contributor to fatalities, with excessive or inappropriate speed suspected in about a fifth of fatal collisions.
Alarmingly, there has also been an increase in seatbelt non-compliance. More than 30 people killed on the roads were not wearing a seatbelt or restraint.
Motorcyclists accounted for 41 lives lost in 2021, 9 more than 2020 (32).
Passengers accounted for 33 lives lost, 1 more than 2020 (32) but still below the five-year average of 38.
Pedestrian deaths were unchanged (29), and cyclist fatalities (10) were down by 3.
Victoria Police will continue to work with road safety partners under the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to halve deaths and significantly reduce injuries by 2030 and sets Victoria on the path towards zero road deaths by 2050.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir:
“236 is not just a number – it represents 236 lives lost on Victorian roads this year. These are people whose lives have tragically been cut short with families, friends and loved ones left behind – their lives forever changed. The real loss of these 236 lives is immeasurable.
“There have been great strides made to improve road safety in recent years, however there are still many people killed or seriously injured on Victorian roads each year.
“As we enter a new year, we cannot stress enough that the onus of road safety is on all of us. Everyone has the ability to make good choices to keep themselves, their passengers and other road users safe.
“We will continue our enforcement efforts to deter and target unlawful road user behaviour, with a focus on intentional high-risk driving, speeding, impaired driving, wearing of seatbelts, distraction and authorised driving.
Analysis of the lives lost provisional figures in 2021 shows:
OVERALL
• There were 236 lives lost – 25 more than 2020 (211). Five-year average is 247.8
• The 236 lives lost has resulted from 219 separate fatal collisions
• There were 206 single vehicle collisions – up from 181 in 2020
• There were 10 double fatalities, two triple fatalities and one quadruple fatality
• There were 117 lives lost on metropolitan roads* – up from 85 in 2020.
• There were 119 lives lost on country roads* – down from 126 in 2020.
*As determined by VicRoads/TAC boundaries
ROAD USER
• Drivers – 120 lives lost. Five-year average is 119.6
• Passengers – 33 lives lost. Five-year average is 38.2
• Motorcyclists (including pillion) – 41 lives lost. Five-year average is 41
• Pedestrians – 29 lives lost. Five-year average is 37
• Cyclists – 10 lives lost. Five-year average is 10.2
• Supervising Licenced Driver – 1 lives lost
• Other – 2 lives lost
DEMOGRAPHICS
• Male lives lost – 173, compared with 156 in 2020. Five-year average is 181
• Female lives lost – 62, compared with 51 in 2020. Five-year average is 66
• Unknown – 1, compared with 4 in 2020.
AGE
•
• 18-24: 30, compared with 27 in 2020. Five-year average is 34.6
• 25-29: 21, compared with 26 in 2020. Five-year average is 25.2
• 30-39: 35, compared with 40 in 2020. Five-year average is 37.8
• 40-49: 26, compared with 26 in 2020. Five-year average is 33.8
• 50-59: 26, compared with 26 in 2020. Five-year average is 30.0
• 60-69: 35, compared with 21 in 2020. Five-year average is 28.0
• 70-79: 21, compared with 19 in 2020. Five-year average is 20.4
• 80+: 21, compared with 17 in 2020. Five-year average is 27.0
• Unknown: 6
LOCATION (REGIONAL BREAKDOWN)
• Eastern Victoria – 65 lives lost in 2021, compared to 77 in 2020. Five-year average is 86.2
• Western Victoria – 69 lives lost in 2021, compared to 72 in 2020. Five-year average is 78.4
• Southern Metro – 53 lives lost in 2021, compared to 30 in 2020. Five-year average is 36.8
• North West Metro – 49 lives lost in 2021, compared to 32 in 2020. Five-year average is 46.4
MONTH
• January – 14
• February – 21
• March – 25
• April – 14
• May – 14
• June – 20
• July – 20
• August – 17
• September – 23
• October – 18
• November – 28
• December – 22
Please note: The figures released today are provisional only and subject to change as some deaths may be removed or added for a number of reasons. The Road Fatality Review Panel will meet in January and final figures for 2021 will be available on 1 February, 2022.
Victorian Lives Lost – 1987 to 2021
2021 – 236
2020 – 211
2019 – 266
2018 – 213
2017 – 259
2016 – 290
2015 – 252
2014 – 248
2013 – 243
2012 – 282
2011 – 287
2010 – 287
2009 – 290
2008 – 303
2007 – 332
2006 – 337
2005 – 346
2004 – 343
2003 – 330
2002 – 397
2001 – 444
2000 – 407
1999 – 384
1998 – 390
1997 – 377
1996 – 418
1995 – 418
1994 – 378
1993 – 436
1992 – 396
1991 – 503
1990 – 548
1989 – 776
1988 – 701
