Motorists have been urged to drive safely this King’s Birthday long weekend, following what has been a devastating first half of the year on the state’s roads.
Victorians are being reminded to get the basics right on the road to help curb the tragic trend, with speeding, distractions, not wearing a seat belt, fatigue, drink and drug driving, and complacency all key issues.
In the past fortnight alone, 16 people have died on Victorian roads, taking the number of lives lost so far this year to 140—a significant increase on the 103 at this time in 2022.
Victoria Police will be out in force over the long weekend with Operation Regal targeting risk-taking behaviours in an effort to prevent road trauma and help people get to and from their destinations safely, an official press release said.
To help combat fatigue, Driver Reviver Australia will have the support of VICSES and Lions Club volunteers operating rest stops across Victoria this weekend, where motorists can take a break and change drivers if possible.
Sadly, regional roads continue to see the greatest number of fatalities, sitting at 20 higher than this time last year.
In response, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is supporting increased enforcement efforts on regional Victorian roads with additional funding for extra police shifts over the four days.
Next month the Labor Government will also start delivering its $210 million Safe Local Roads and Streets Program (SLRSP), in partnership with local governments, the TAC and Department of Transport and Planning.
Available to all local governments across Victoria, expressions of interest for phase one opened in April with the aim of helping councils deliver critical safety improvements to council-managed roads and road infrastructure.
Importantly, the TAC is also continuing its work to address key issues contributing to road trauma.
With around two thirds of driver and passenger deaths involving a vehicle built more than 10 years ago, a newly launched campaign is highlighting the lifesaving benefits of advanced active safety features in new and used cars.
The TAC is also supporting the rollout of the Labor Government’s new mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras with a widespread campaign, while a newly extended partnership with Victoria Tourism Industry Council will see TAC’s Pause Stop fatigued driving campaign amplified at Tourist Information Centres across the state.
For a full list of the Driver Reviver sites, visit driverreviver.com.au.
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