Victoria Police are issuing a critical road safety alert as the state enters a period of particularly high risk for death and serious injury.
Eighteen lives were lost in just two weeks at the same time last year and police are worried about a repeat, especially as wintry weather reduces visibility and creates dangerous driving conditions.
The alert comes as five lives have been lost on Victorian roads in the past 48 hours, with fatal collisions in Buxton, Thornhill Park, Bundoora, Geelong and Flynn.
This brings the total number of lives lost in the state to 114 – 19 more than the same time last year.
Their plea follows a statewide traffic police operation over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend that detected more than 5,000 traffic violations.
Police will remain highly visible on state roads as the school vacation period kicks off next week.
Assistant Road Policing Commissioner Glenn Weir said we are entering a high-risk period on Victorian roads.
“Now is not the time to be complacent when you get behind the wheel,” he said.
“Slowing down, staying alert and using extra caution when roads are wet or visibility is affected are simple, but all motorists can take vital steps to protect themselves and other road users.
“Police will remain highly visible and on the lookout for any risky behavior by the driver. We are determined to do everything we can to ensure that this period does not become synonymous with road trauma.”
