Concerns by residents along Yendon Number One Rd near Buninyong are understandable.

They want their road improved and believe that, as taxpayers and ratepayers, they are entitled to expect nothing less.

While their concerns come in the wake of a fatal accident on the road, that matter should be not be a consideration in the context of the road.

If, as claimed, the road is in poor condition, it should be dealt with as promptly as possible and the residents have been demanding as much.

There is nothing, however, to say that this week's accident was the result of the condition of the road. The matter is still being investigated.

While the residents are reasonably demanding greater attention be paid to the condition of the road, there will be hundreds, possibly thousands of residents across regional Victoria who could demand the same for their road.

The reality is that councils struggle to maintain a huge network of roads because of the massive cost of doing so.

The RACV has pointed out that Victoria spends less money on road investment and maintenance than NSW and Queensland, despite Victorian roads carrying more traffic.

"All three levels of government need to increase their commitment to roads, primarily in the interests of road safety," RACV public policy general manager Ken Ogden said.

All councils, including Moorabool which was in the firing line of criticism about Yendon Number One Rd, will be well aware of that.

The council said it is continually seeking to upgrade its roads.

All councils are. It is simply that the task is huge and there is not a bottomless pit of finance.

Constructive dialogue must be maintained between all levels of government to ensure that country roads are given an appropriately high priority in the consideration of funding for transport infrastructure across the nation.

Country residents are entitled to expect the roads on which they travel are maintained to the best possible standard and councils are entitled to expect appropriate funding to ensure that is the case.