VICTORIA Police is determined to build on a turnaround in road trauma towards the end of 2022, that has helped deliver one of the lowest Lives Lost figures on record.
There were 240 lives lost in 2022, six more than the previous year and slightly above the five-year-average of 237.
It represents the fourth-lowest lives lost figure since TAC records began more than 30 years ago, but police stress any life lost is one too many.
December – previously Victoria’s deadliest month on the roads – recorded five fewer deaths than in November. Only May had fewer fatalities during 2022.
The shift coincided with a state-wide enforcement effort where more than 13,500 traffic offences were detected across 12 days, and a series of awareness initiatives with Victoria Police’s road safety partners was undertaken.
September was the worst month for fatalities, with 28 deaths.
Fatalities on metropolitan roads decreased to 105 compared with 114 the previous year, with the five-year average also 105.
Lives lost on country roads, including Geelong and the Surf Coast, rose to 135 from 120 in 2021. The figure was also above the five-year average of 131.
Speeding, including driving too fast for the conditions, was the leading suspected cause of fatalities state-wide. Failing to give way, illicit drugs, alcohol and mobile phones were also common contributors, police cited.
About a fifth of drivers and passengers killed didn’t have their seatbelts on or weren’t wearing it properly, accounting for 21 deaths, although this was an improvement on the previous year.
The worst areas in the state for lives lost included the Goulburn Valley police division which had 26 deaths, up from 16. The Bendigo division recorded 19 deaths (+3), Dandenong 18 (-15) and Geelong 17 (+4).
Spikes in motorcyclist and pedestrian deaths remain a concern.
Motorcyclist fatalities rose more than a third, with 57 deaths compared with 42 in 2021 and a five-year average of 38.
Pedestrian fatalities were up more than 50 per cent, with 44 deaths recorded. This compared with 29 in 2021 and a five-year average of 35.
Driver fatalities fell with 101 recorded (-13) while 22 passengers were killed, down from 33 in 2021. Cyclist deaths were unchanged at 12.
Males comprised three-quarters of people killed on the roads with 179 deaths compared with 61 females.
There was a slight increase in the number of young people killed on the roads, with 35 deaths among those aged 18-24, up from 31. Deaths among road users aged 60+ were down but deaths among those aged 50-59 increased almost 30 per cent to 32.
Acting assistant commissioner road policing, Justin Goldsmith, said it was pleasing to see an improvement in road trauma towards the end of the year.
“While the number of lives lost is only slightly above the previous year when there were still significant travel restrictions due to COVID, it’s crucial to stress any life lost is one too many,” he said.
“These are not just numbers – each represents a mother, father, brother, sister, child or friend whose life has been needlessly cut short. Many people will be celebrating the start of the new year but our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who will never get the chance to see 2023.
“The rise in motorcyclist and pedestrian fatalities over the last 12 months is especially concerning. We’re also seeing increased trauma in country areas. Victoria Police is focused on reducing this needless loss of life and we urge all road users to look out for each other.
“Often it is behaviours within our control like choosing to speed, driving after a few drinks, or texting behind the wheel that results in the most catastrophic road trauma. That’s why you will continue to see us right across the state checking your speed, conducting alcohol and drug tests and removing unlicensed and suspended drivers from the road.”
Victoria Police will continue to work with its road safety partners as part of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to halve deaths and significantly reduce injuries by 2030.
The strategy sets Victoria on the path towards zero road deaths by 2050.
A number of state-wide road policing operations will be conducted during high-risk road trauma periods throughout 2023, starting with the upcoming Australia Day long weekend.
