ROAD safety remains front-of-mind for Victoria Police heading into 2025, following another devastating year on the state’s roads. There were 282 lives lost in 2024, which is slightly below the figure of 295 recorded in 2023. However, road safety data has revealed that there has been an overall increase in the number of fatal collisions, with regional roads disproportionately represented in the data.
Data from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) confirms that 282 lives were lost up to December 2024, with 149 fatalities occurring on regional roads, down from 172 in 2023.
Around the Goulburn Valley, there were approximately 31 fatal collisions in 2024, including 10 in Greater Shepparton, eight in Campaspe and seven in the Mitchell Shire.
The number of single fatal collisions increased by 6 per cent, with 256 in 2024 compared with 241 in 2023. Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists and e-scooter riders made up 45 per cent of all lives lost on Victorian roads in 2024.
Pedestrians accounted for 47 deaths compared with 44 in the previous year.
However, the data shows a significant decrease in the number of multiple fatality collisions, with 13 double fatalities in 2024 compared to 2023, which saw 14 double fatalities, four quadruple fatalities and two quintuple fatalities.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir reflected on what has been a challenging year on Victoria’s roads. He said, “Not only is the sheer number of lives lost devastating, but the increase in fatal collisions overall has been particularly concerning to us.
“Let’s not forget, these are not just numbers we are talking about, but human lives: these are people who will be mourned by their loved ones for many years to come.
“Again, we have seen so many examples of simple and avoidable mistakes that have resulted in catastrophic outcomes. It is a stark reminder of the responsibilities we all have as road users, to keep ourselves, our passengers and all other road users safe.”
Police have identified single acts of non-compliance or people making basic driving errors contributed to more than half of fatalities in 2024. Behaviours such as driving without a license, travelling at extreme speeds, high-range drink driving, illicit drug driving, or often a combination of these behaviours, contributed to approximately a quarter of fatal collisions in 2024.
Police are determined to drive down road trauma in 2025 and are urging all road users to consider their actions and behaviours when getting behind the wheel.
Road policing enforcement will continue to be a priority, with a number of operations to be conducted throughout the year both during high-risk periods but also at random, in-line with an ‘anywhere, anytime’ deterrent approach.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website: www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety
