THE LIVES of those lost on the state's roads in the past 12 months are being honoured by Victoria Police as the year comes to a close.
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In what has been a tragic year on Victorian roads, with 253 people losing their lives, Victoria Police have set up a Christmas tree on which baubles inscribed with the first names and ages of each person are displayed.
With 54 more lives lost this year than the same time last year, police required a bigger tree.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said the baubles were a reminder that the statistics of road trauma represent real people.
"Everyone who loses their life on our roads is missed by someone, and each of these baubles represents a person who was special to those who knew and loved them.
"It's a reminder that lives lost on our roads is not about numbers - it's about real families losing people they love.
"Behind each of these baubles is a story of a family that is grieving for a mum, dad, brother, sister, son or daughter who won't be coming home this Christmas."
The Christmas tree is part of the launch of the annual policing Operation Roadwise, which runs through Christmas, New Year and the summer holiday period.
Last festive season 12 people lost their lives on Victorian roads so police will be focusing on a number of contributors to road trauma, including drink and drug driving.
Earlier this week Ballarat Acting Inspector Ben Young said police would have a highly visible police presence throughout the holiday period to not only detect offences but to reinforce positive driving behaviours to lessen the incidence of road trauma.
Ballarat police will focus on the biggest contributors to road trauma: speed, distraction, fatigue, impaired driving and seat belt non-compliance throughout the operation.
He urged people to drive carefully around shopping precincts where there would be an increase in pedestrians and to plan longer journeys, plan rest periods, limit driving at times normally asleep and to check the tyres and brakes on vehicles before longer drives.
The 'lives lost' tree can be viewed on the concourse level of the Victoria Police Centre at 637 Flinders Street, Docklands until the end of the operation.
Operation Roadwise runs from December 13 until January 5.
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