VICTORIA Police has issued an urgent road safety warning to all motorists as the state enters a high-risk period for death and serious injury.
There were 28 lives lost on Victoria’s roads in September last year – the highest number of fatalities recorded for the month in 16 years.
It was also the deadliest month for the entire year.
Police said two-thirds of the fatalities recorded last September – 19 of the 28 lives lost – were vulnerable road users including motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Motorcyclists made up almost 40 per cent of all road users killed.
More than half of motorcyclist fatalities occurred on metropolitan roads and involved riders aged under 29.
Police suspected excessive speed, unauthorised riding, not wearing appropriate protective riding gear and driver behaviour around sharing the road with motorcyclists were key factors in fatal collisions involving motorcyclists.
With Spring a time when many recreational motorcyclists jump back on their bikes, police have urged riders to be extra cautious.
Victoria has recorded 197 lives lost so far this year, 40 more deaths than at the same time last year.
Police said they were determined to avoid a repeat of last September’s road trauma trend and would prioritise road policing enforcement across the mont.
Meanwhile, police will come together for a landmark road safety forum on September 14 aimed at finding new ways to tackle the growing number of lives lost this year.
A statewide road policing operation will come into effect at month’s end coinciding with the AFL Grand Final long weekend.
Assistant Commissioner for road policing Glenn Weir said now was not the time to be complacent.
“The number of lives being lost on our roads this year should absolutely be cause for concern for everyone,” he said.
“We want everyone to think about not only their own safety but how their decisions and behaviour behind the wheel can impact the safety of others.”
