STARTLING new statistics released on July 28 mark a significant increase in lives lost on rural roads.
In the past 12 months a 22 percent increase in rural road deaths has been marked by 78 fatalities, compared to the state total of 142.
“Speed, distraction and fatigue continue to be major contributing factors to rural road fatalities,” says acting assistant commissioner road policing, Justin Goldsmith.
With regional lives lost on the road being disproportionately high compared to the Melbourne metropolitan area, the commissioner has offered the following warning:
“Motorists should slow down and drive cautiously on unfamiliar roads and when visibility is poor, take regular breaks when travelling longer distances – these are simple, yet life-saving measures that can be taken to help keep yourself and other road users stay safe.”
Victorian police will continue their highly visible presence on rural roads while being on the lookout for poor driving behaviour in a concerted effort to bring down the number of rural lives lost.
