Brimbank’s road toll has been halved over the past two years, despite a more-than-40 per cent increase in extended hospital stays from road accidents.
In the first nine months of this year, five people died on Brimbank roads, compared to nine fatalities in 2012 and 10 in 2011.
Brimbank’s Leading Senior Constable Matt Mudie urged drivers to help police keep the figures down over the holiday season.
“Our state’s road toll is at an all-time low and it’s the responsibility of the whole community for it to remain that way,” he said.
“Speed and driver distraction still remain the leading contributors to serious injury and death on our roads.”
Police data shows hospital admissions due to road trauma have increased by 11 per cent over the past two years, from 123 to 137, while hospital stays lasting more than a fortnight increased 44 per cent, from 16 to 23.
Leading Senior Constable Mudie urged drivers to limit distractions and warned that those caught using a mobile phone now face a $433 on-the-spot fine, up from $289, and being penalised four demerit points, up from three. A total ban on mobile use has been extended to all probationary drivers.
In Melton, police are urging drivers to be careful over the Christmas period after three deaths in eight days late last month.
Leading Senior Constable Allan Edwards said while it wasn’t totally unusual to have a spate of serious crashes, the fatalities of last month highlighted the need to take care.
Six deaths have occurred on Melton roads this year, compared to five in 2012.
Leading Senior Constable Edwards said: “We could have police cars at every intersection and people will still make mistakes.”
He said extra police were already on roads as part of Operation Summer Stay, which will have four phases between November 15 and January 5.
“We say this every Christmas: plan your trip, take your time and manage fatigue. We’re hoping drivers listen to these warnings and we can be fatality-free for the rest of the summer.”
