As Victorians begin to travel more freely this weekend and beyond, Country Fire Authority (CFA) firefighters are urging communities to take care on our roads this National Road Safety Week.
*Photo taken pre-COVID
CFA responded to a total of 4350 motor vehicle collisions over the last 12 months from 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020.
National Road Safety Week honours those lost on our roads and pledges to raise awareness to make our roads safer for everyone.
The week-long campaign commenced Sunday, 15 November and runs to Sunday, November 22.
The campaign asks Australians to “pledge to drive so others survive” by behaving safely and responsibly on our roads.
CFA Acting Chief Officer (A/CO) Garry Cook said as significant as these statistics are, any road trauma as a result of just one collision has a devastating impact on communities.
“While CFA’s core service to the community is as a fire agency, our people frequently respond to motor vehicle collisions,” A/CO Cook said.
“Road trauma incidents deeply impact communities and our members right across the state.
“Most road trauma incidents can be avoided. Speed, driver fatigue and distractions often cause collisions and all of which are preventable.”
Last year, CFA saw an increase in responses to road trauma incidents in the warmer months starting from September and firefighters do not want to see the same pattern repeat this year.
Ahead of this weekend, A/CO Cook urged Victorians to be vigilant and take care on our roads as people begin to travel more freely in the summer months.
“With the weather getting warmer, people will be getting outdoors and travelling more frequently as we approach COVID-normal,” he said.
“Be careful, look out for one another and do your part in helping us limit the number of road trauma incidents across our state.”
Road users are encouraged to take the pledge online at roadsafetyweek.com.au
