Victoria has recorded its worst road toll in three years with 263 people losing their lives in 2019.

Fatal crashes were up across every road user group including drivers and passengers, and vulnerable road users like pedestrians and motorcyclists.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) says speeding, drink and drug driving, distraction, fatigue and not wearing seatbelts were all common contributing factors to the increased road toll.

Speed was a factor in 22 percent of crashes and around one in five crashes involved fatigue and distractions like mobile phones.

Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Jaala Pulford, is urging Victorians to take extra care on the roads.

“It’s been a devastating year on Victoria’s roads with every loss of life someone’s mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife or friend who will not come home tonight,” she said.

“That’s why we’re cracking down on dangerous driving, building safer roads and working on the next road safety strategy – but every Victorian has a role to play, to stop speeding, to put the phone away and drive safely.”