OPINION
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Earlier this month Victoria surpassed a grim milestone.
More than 117 people have been killed on regional roads so far this year - exceeding the number of lives lost in country Victoria in 2018 in just nine months.
Across our state, Victoria's road toll is now over 200 - that's over 200 preventable deaths.
And for every one of those Victorian - every child, woman and man - killed on our roads, there are countless more family members and friends whose lives are changed forever.
These statistics are as shocking as they are unacceptable, with too many of these deaths a needless tragedy.
We know that, because behind that terrible toll, there are some troubling truths.
For many of us, putting on a seatbelt - which has been compulsory in Victoria since 1970 - is the first thing we do when we jump in the car.
It's because, although we may not know it, wearing a seatbelt halves your risk of serious injury or death.
And yet, 20 per cent of those killed in cars this year were not wearing one.
Single vehicle run-off-road collisions - the description for cars that leave their lane and crash on the side of the road - are also a massive problem, accounting for 44 per cent of those killed in 2019.
We know that in many of these cases, driver fatigue is a likely contributor to the crash.
Research has shown that driving with less than seven hours sleep carries a similar risk to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05.
Driving with less than five hours sleep is similar to having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08.
And those on less than four hours sleep, that's like driving at 0.13.
We know that speed is a factor, contributing to around 26 per cent of the fatalities on regional roads this year.
And we know that still, despite all the warnings, too many drivers continue to put their lives - and the lives of others - at risk by driving distracted on their phones.
As a government, we're determined to do what it takes to address what is happening on our roads
That means listening to local communities.
Investigating new options for safer cars, new technology, better road infrastructure and stronger public education.
We've also introduced the toughest laws in Australia for drink and drug driving - imposing the loss of licence and compulsory use of an alcohol interlock device for drivers blowing over 0.05.
But despite these measures and more, it's still clearly not enough.
It's why, ahead of this long weekend, I won't ask you to remember me, or my words.
But I am asking:
Before you jump in the car, and every time you're on the roads this weekend, think of the people that love you.
Your family. Your friends.
Your footy mates.
Maybe your first love.
Or your favourite aunty.
And please, put on your seatbelt.
Put down your phone.
Drive awake.
Drive to the limit.
And please, get home safe.
Jaala Pulford is the Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC.