Following a disastrous 2016 where Ballarat faced the worst road toll for the region in decades, a shocking four times what it was on a the previous year, the toll is a slight improvement but these figures again reveal a worrying concertation. Across Victoria the road toll is now at 50 fatalities, as of yesterday, a major drop of almost 35 percent on the same time last year. 

But before this is cause for any kind of celebration it is worth recalling the Toward Zero motto that no one deserves to lose their life on the roads and again reflecting on the grim tragedy every single one of these numbers represents to a family or community.

Furthermore it is where these horrible figures are refusing to budge that demands we look closer at the causes and the actions needed.

While metropolitan deaths have fallen almost 60 percent since the same time last year, in rural areas have only seen a 17 percent decline, at the same time rural roads, where 32 of the 50 deaths have occurred, continue see the greatest concentration of tragedies. 

The toll in regional Victoria has been one of the unfortunate constants in every years total road toll as higher speeds, long distances, more obstacles and higher chances of fatigue are all factors that contribute.

It is no surprise the police are deeply concerned when these numbers keep climbing and we have not even passed through the Easter holiday period. At the same time the region's roads have been fairly dry up until now and the dangers of inclement weather, ice and long nights all of which add to the risk factors show just what they are up against during the winter.

All the same old warnings are applicable, the need for greater attention, for breaking the journey  and perhaps most of all an acute understanding that a slightly slower speed that may only add minutes to a journey could save a life.

When the roads have blind corners, are lined with trees or a simply unknown to the driver this caution is even more valuable. 

But it is also some of the straight-forward busy rural roads that can be deceptively familiar and for these we must ask questions and consider whether a lower mandated speed would alert people to these dangers.

The message may seem repetitive but if it makes one person reconsider and avoid the danger ahead, it is worthwhile.