Motorists are being urged to take care on the roads and plan ahead for the long weekend, after a heartbreaking start to the year.
In just over two months, 54 people have lost their lives on Victorian roads – compared to 44 in 2021 – leaving many families, workplaces and communities mourning the unnecessary loss of a loved one.
After a record low in 2021, regional deaths have increased by 70 per cent, with 34 lives lost compared to 20 at this time last year.
Road safety authorities are particularly concerned with the rise in pedestrian, motorcyclist and young driver deaths. Pedestrian and motorcycle deaths are well above the same time last year, and nine young people aged 18-20 have lost their lives – over four times the five-year average.
With March historically a high fatality period on our roads, the state government is calling on all road users to play their part in keeping roads safe – plan ahead, slow down, don’t drink or drug drive, put your phone away and make safe choices.
Victoria Police will be out in force over the long weekend, with Operation Arid targeting behaviours such as speed, distraction and drink and drug driving and motorcyclist behaviour.
Last year’s Operation Arid detected 2906 speeding offences, 215 drink drivers, 195 drug drivers, and 161 disqualified or suspended drivers.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said: “We’re urging all road users to protect themselves and others on the roads this long weekend. Victoria Police won’t tolerate those who do the wrong thing behind the wheel – if you make bad decisions, you will be caught.”
Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir said the Labour Day long weekend was a popular time for travel.
“We’ll be out with our full contingent of police vehicles to ensure everyone is doing their bit to keep themselves and all other road users safe,” he said.
“With such a significant number of fatalities so far this year, we’ll be doing everything we can to prevent any further lives being lost on Victorian roads.”
