A CRITICAL road safety alert has been issued by Victoria Police as the state enters an especially high-risk period for road deaths and serious injuries.

18 lives were lost in just two weeks this time last year and Victoria Police are concerned about a repeat, especially as winter weather reduces visibility and creates hazardous driving conditions, such as slippery road surfaces.

Police issued the alert late last week after four lives were lost on Victorian roads over the course of 24 hours, with fatal collisions in Buxton, Thornhill Park, Bundoora and Geelong.

The state’s total lives lost figure has increased to 117 – 19 higher than the number of lives lost this time last year. 

Between June 19, 2021, to July 4, 2021, distractions and speed were cited as the most common underlying factors in fatal road crashes, with speed contributing to a third of the collisions.

Pedestrians were involved in a quarter of the fatalities during this time, with poor visibility being a major factor.

Distraction and fatigue were also suspected in several of the fatalities, with some drivers drifting on to the wrong side of the road and colliding with trees or other vehicles.

Police are determined to avoid a repeat of these concerning road trauma trends, with Victoria Police assistant commissioner of road policing, Glenn Weir, saying the state was currently experiencing a “high-risk period” on Victorian roads and motorists needed to take extra care.

“Now is not the time to be complacent when getting behind the wheel,” he said.

“Slowing down, remaining alert, and being extra cautious when roads are wet, or visibility is affected, are simple but life-saving measures all motorists can take to protect themselves and other road users.

“Police will remain highly visible and on the lookout for any risky driver behaviour.

“We are determined to do everything we can to ensure this period does not become synonymous with road trauma”.

Hamilton Highway Patrol acting sergeant, Dean McLaren, echoed Mr Weir’s message, and said local police units would be active within the community throughout the high-risk period to ensure locals were behaving safely on the roads.

“The local police are being vigilant to road behaviour, in regards to speed, distractions, impairment, fatigue and seatbelts,” he said.

“It is again the reminder for people to behave on the roads, be cautious and make sure themselves and their vehicles are fit for the roads.”

Victoria Police’s plea comes after Operation Regal, the statewide road policing operation over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, which detected more than 5000 traffic offences across the state, including local offences such as speeding and drink driving.

“Following the last few weeks, we’ve seen a rise in offences from our local drivers and on our local roads,” Act Sgt McLaren said. 

“So we will be out enforcing the road rules and keeping people safe.

“We are asking people to obey road laws, be patient, and make sure themselves and their vehicles are fit for the road.”

As the school holiday period approaches, local road users can expect to see police out in the community ensuring road users remain safe.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads visit the Road Safety page at police.vic.gov.au/road-safety-0