SWAN Hill’s road toll spiked in 2012, despite the continuation of a downward trend statewide, which saw Victoria achieve its fifth consecutive record low.
Five people died on roads in Swan Hill shire last year including four drivers and a pedestrian, according to the final Transport Accident Commission (TAC) road toll.
However, the local toll was still well short of the nine people killed in 1991.
Around the Mallee Region there were generally lower numbers of fatalities with two occurring in Gannawarra shire, one in the Mildura area and none in both the Loddon and Buloke shires.
In the Balranald, Moulamein, Wakool and Euston areas combined, there were six fatal accidents from the start of 2012 to date.
Fatal accidents in the Swan Hill region are most likely to involve a vehicle leaving the road, according to TAC data, with thirty-nine of the 79 road deaths in Swan Hill shire since 1987 happening this way.
Swan Hill Senior Sergeant Gary Hughes said most of these fatal accidents happened on the Murray Valley Highway with fatigue being the key cause in addition to alcohol and speed.
“People need to be absolutely aware of the need to take regular rest breaks,” Sen Sergeant Hughes said.
For more on this story, see Friday’s edition of The Guardian
(15/02/13).
