SPEAKING during the first Parliament sitting week, the State Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe has raised concerning trends and called for action on worsening road safety in Victoria.
Addressing the Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne, Ms O’Keeffe highlighted a 15-year high for road fatalities, stating, “As of 12 December 2023, 299 lives were lost on Victoria’s roads, a 24 per cent increase from the previous year and the highest death toll in 15 years. Significantly, 174 of these tragic incidents occurred on regional roads, underscoring the disproportionate risk faced by our regional and rural communities.”
Ms O’Keeffe also raised concern over cuts to road safety programs, highlighting a $150M reduction in TAC-funded safer system roads and infrastructure program and an $81M cut from the TAC marketing and road safety budget over the past two financial years.
“The result of these cuts is evident on our roads, with an increase in unsafe conditions, potholes, and substandard road repairs posing a risk to every Victorian driver,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“Recently, a constituent, a victim of our crumbling road infrastructure, reached out to me regarding his vehicle damage costing $980, $600 below the $1,580 for damage claims. The cost of the damage is almost equivalent to an entire fortnight of this man’s income. Without reimbursement, he is struggling to manage basic needs.
“People who experience vehicle damage due to the condition of the roads, which is no fault of their own, should all be compensated regardless of the cost of the damage,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
