- Minister for Road Safety and the TAC
- Minister for Roads
More people have already lost their lives on Victoria’s roads this year than for the entirety of 2018 – a tragic reminder for all of us to take care on our roads.
On Friday the number of lives lost on our roads reached 214, surpassing the number of lives lost in 2018. These are not just numbers – these are loved ones that won’t be there this Christmas, and families and friends left devastated.
This heartbreaking milestone shows that while we have come a long way in improving road safety, there is still a long way to go – whether that’s putting on a seatbelt, putting away the phone or driving while awake and aware.
The Andrews Labor Government is also continuing to invest in the infrastructure that we know saves lives.
The Labor Government has been rolling out new safety infrastructure on the state’s highest risk roads with almost 2,000 kilometres of new safety barriers installed since 2016.
Data released today shows the number of crashes resulting in deaths and serious injuries on upgraded roads has almost halved since works began.
There were 84 crashes resulting in fatalities and serious injuries on these roads in 2015, compared to 44 crashes during the same period in 2019.
These barriers absorb the force of the vehicle to bring it to a stop and are being installed on the roadside and centre median to prevent run-off-road and head-on crashes.
So far this year, safety barriers across the state have already been hit around 2,500 times, representing countless serious crashes avoided.
Another 16 roads across the state will be upgraded with new safety infrastructure, including the Frankston Freeway, Moorooduc Highway and South Gippsland Highway in Melbourne’s south east.
The Government has also started work on Victoria’s next road safety strategy and has been seeking the views of road users through a series of regional forums and an online survey at engage.vic.gov.au/TZ2020
As stated by Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC Jaala Pulford
“We’ve lost more lives on our roads this year than in all of 2018. That’s as unacceptable as it is heartbreaking.”
“This tragic milestone is a real reminder for all of us to take care on our roads, with every life lost somebody’s mate, colleague or loved one.”
“Safety barriers save lives – that’s why we’ve invested so strongly in them and why we’re continuing to roll them out across the state.”
