Victorians are being reminded to be extra cautious on the roads after a tragic start to the year, with 33 people losing their lives across the state – 13 higher than the same time last year.
Some of the most vulnerable on our roads remain motorcyclists with ten people already losing their lives – five higher than the five-year average. Pedestrian (3) fatalities are also higher than the five-year average. With a spike in the road toll, the Andrews Labor Government has launched two confronting campaigns to help protect our most vulnerable road users.
A new hard-hitting Transport Accident Commission campaign highlights the shocking injuries that motorcycle riders could avoid by wearing their safety gear on every ride. It urges Victorian riders to wear protective clothing each time they get on their bike, no matter the distance or speeds travelled, the weather or the destination.
TAC research shows contusions, abrasions and lacerations are the second-most common type of injury sustained from on-road motorcycle crashes in Victoria, behind fractured limbs. Over the last five years, on average there have been around 2,500 motorcyclist claims per year, equating to around $115 million annually in compensation and medical bills.
To further protect pedestrians near or on roads, TAC has partnered with KidSafe on a new driveway safety community awareness campaign highlighting the dangers that driveways pose for children. The ad encourages parents, carers and the community to take extra care to avoid run-over tragedies.
In the past 18 months in Victoria, at least two children have been killed in low-speed run-over incidents. Every year in Australia, on average seven children aged 0-14 years are killed and 60 are seriously injured due to driveway run-overs – children under five years of age are at greatest risk.
The campaigns are part of the Labor Government’s Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and Action Plan – working across policy, education, technology, enforcement, vehicle safety and infrastructure to improve safety for those who are more vulnerable on our roads.
The Strategy sets ambitious targets to halve road deaths and significantly reduce serious injuries by 2030 and sets the state on a path to zero road deaths by 2050.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll
“Road trauma sends shockwaves through communities – family, friends, first responders and healthcare workers are all affected. Please, concentrate on driving and make safe choices on the road to protect each other.”
“We are working to end road trauma – delivering safer infrastructure and education across the state and investigating new policies and technology but we need every single Victorian to make safe choices on our roads.”
As stated by Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore
“It has been a tragic start to 2022 on Victorian roads and we won’t sit by and accept it – we can all play our part by slowing down, wearing a seatbelt, putting the phone away, driving well rested and not drunk or on drugs.”
