ON the first anniversary of a tragic accident at Bochara that claimed the lives of three Hamilton teenagers and one adult, leaving another teenager seriously injured, police have taken the opportunity to remind the community of the need for road safety precautions.

Police said there were a number of factors that were still being investigated regarding the fatal collision that claimed the lives of Alicia Montebello 31, Joshua Elmes 15, Lucus Garzoli, 14, and Meghan Fox 14.

The car they were travelling in left the Wannon-Nigretta Falls Road in the early hours of Saturday morning May 27, 2023, ploughing into roadside vegetation and trees.

Victoria Police Southern Grampians Local Area Commander, Inspector Steve Thompson, said the anniversary served as a timely reminder to drivers to drive according to the conditions, to observe the speed limit and always wear seat belts.

 “We acknowledge the 12-month anniversary of that fatal accident and in particular think about how that has, and will, continue to have a significant impact particularly on the families and friends of those who died,” he said.

“We take the opportunity to remind the community to respect the roads and respect other road users and take all necessary steps for road safety - always drive to the road conditions and the level of experience.

“We remind drivers - don’t succumb to distractions, especially mobile phones, keep that away from yourself - and don’t drive if you’re impaired by drugs or alcohol and always wear a seat belt.”

To date this year, 115 lives have been lost on Victoria’s roads.

That’s six less than for the same period last year, however, eight more than the five-year average which sits at 107.

It’s particularly dangerous for motorcyclists with a 59 per cent increase in road fatalities for the year-to-date statistics recording 28 deaths so far this year, 10 more than for the same period last year of 17. The current toll is eight more than the five-year average.

Of the total deaths recorded, country people still fare worse than metropolitan road users with Melbourne recording 46 deaths so far, a reduction of seven for the same time last year, while there have been 68 fatalities to date for 2024 in rural Victoria, five less than for the same period last year, however seven more than the five-year average.