Following a “devastating year” on the state’s roads, the Victorian Government is urging all Victorians to make safety their priority in 2024.
In 2023 there were 296 lives lost on Victorian roads.
This year the Government is urging Victorians to make safe choices on every journey by slowing down, putting the phone away, paying attention, wearing a seat belt and not driving after drinking or taking drugs.
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) said with fatigue being a major contributor to road trauma, people travelling long distances over the summer period should get a good night’s sleep before driving, allow plenty of travel time, drive to the conditions, remove distractions and take regular breaks.
Driver Reviver Australia will have 21 sites set up across Victoria throughout summer, supported by VICSES and Lions club volunteers providing somewhere for drivers to take a break, have a free cup of coffee or tea and stretch their legs, before continuing their journey.
“The devastating road toll we saw in Victoria last year has also been happening nationally and we need to do everything we can to drive down fatalities on our roads,” said Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne.
“Road trauma is a complex challenge and sadly the contributing factors are not new – speed, not wearing a seat belt, drink and drug driving, high speed country roads, less safe older cars, multi-passenger fatalities and increasing level of travel on our roads.”
