CHRISTMAS 2025 is fast approaching and we at RoadSafeGoulburnValley (RSGV) ask you to plan and prepare for your long-awaited trip to visit family or enjoy some relaxation.
It’s all about planning and choices. There have been far too many lives lost on our regional roads. RSGV has been supporting road safety initiatives for over 35 years, through messaging to community groups and schools. Please do your part in operating your vehicle in a safe manner and being aware of your surroundings.
Why surroundings? Well because we are usually travelling in an unfamiliar area and local conditions may be much different than those we are used to.
It’s easy to prepare for a long car journey. Plan your journey ahead of time, ensure the car is in a roadworthy state, take regular rest breaks, keep hydrated, and do not speed. Remember, you will be sharing the road with many others, who may not have been on a long journey for some time.
A good rule of thumb is to have a rest break every two hours. Stop the car, rest up, let your people know you’re safe and continue driving with renewed energy, perhaps swap drivers regularly. There can be many challenges on country roads, distance, heat, road conditions, varying speeds limits, farm vehicles, stray animals, the list goes on.
It should go without saying that seatbelts must be used and mobile devices, handheld phones and tablets are a no no.
Victoria Police will increase traffic enforcement operations over the Christmas and holiday period, targeting dangerous behaviours including speed, distractions, and drink and drug driving, road policing operations that will see increased drug testing and expanded use of technology to catch unauthorised drivers. If you do decide to have a few drinks, be smart and arrange a safe way of getting home to your loved ones. Remember, it is never you, until it is you. A road crash will change your life forever and that of many others.
But do have a safe break and make those right choices.
Have a safe holiday season.
Sincerely,
Bill Winters
Executive Officer-Secretary at Road Safe Goulburn Valley
