Plea for safety on roads this Christmas

Emergency services want everybody to enjoy the festive season with their loved ones after a difficult 18-months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and don't want anybody's Christmas or New Year's to be plagued by the tragedy, grief and heartbreak from a life lost to road trauma.

According to Transport Accident Commission data, there have been 12 lives lost across the region in the last 12 months, including three in Ballarat, two in Golden Plains shire, one in Hepburn shire, three in Moorabool shire and three in Pyrenees shire.

During the last few weeks there has been an increase in both minor and serious injuries resulting from collisions across the wider Ballarat region.

Ballarat Highway Patrol's Acting Sergeant Rochelle Muir said much of the road trauma seen across the region at the moment was due to people not driving to the conditions associated with the weather.

She said the increase could also be linked to an increase in traffic as the state has re-opened post lockdowns and restrictions, prompting Victorians to travel for weekends away or to visit loved ones.

The Country Fire Authority's Ballarat Fire Brigade responds to many rescues across the wider Ballarat region.

Captain Mark Cartledge said the brigade was responding to more rescues and wash aways at the moment, including a portion during wet weather.

Acting Sergeant Muir said a factor in many of these recent collisions was drivers becoming distracted behind the wheel.

"People were locked down for a very long time and weren't driving very frequently. Now suddenly there's a massive increase of traffic on the roads and an increase in people who haven't been driving often on the roads."

With it expected increased traffic volumes will continue during the next month, she asked people to practise patience.

"In the lead up to Christmas we really want to reiterate that if you're planning to take a long drive, which a lot of people will be, not to drive if you're tired and to take regular breaks."

Stopping every so often breaks up a trip and combats fatigue.

"There's going to be a lot of traffic around Christmas and the New Year so there is no point trying to rush somewhere because the danger is to yourself and your family."

Acting Sergeant Muir also urged people to be aware of their surroundings while travelling and to drive to the conditions, such as slowing down if it is raining or if there is low visibility.

Speed is a continuing major factor in the region's road trauma. It is something Acting Sergeant Muir said was concerning, particularly on high-speed roads and freeways where there is the added risk of animals trying to cross at dawn and dusk.

"People need to remember that even if they know a road, the speed limit is advisory and you don't need to sit on it. You can travel under it and maybe get to your destination a few minutes later, but you will arrive safely."

It is also important to ensure everyone in the car is buckled up before heading off.

Acting Sergeant Muir said this was "very important", whether driving around town or on a freeway.

"We often see the severity of injuries increases dramatically if someone isn't wearing a seatbelt," she said.

Meanwhile, the booze buses which have returned to Ballarat roads during the past few weeks will continue to feature during the festive period.

"We are running them pretty much weekly at the moment. In the lead up to Christmas it will increase to multiple times a week and all different times of day," Acting Sergeant Muir said.

With end-of-year work parties and other functions in the lead up to Christmas, many people will wish to celebrate with a drink or two. This will continue through Christmas and the New Year.

"I have no issue with people socialising with family and friends after the last two years but unfortunately we do tend to see an increase in impaired driving around this time of year.

"So we want people to know that it's not worth it. We want everybody to get to where they need to be safely and if you drink and drive during this time it is likely you will be caught."

In line with this, police will run a statewide road safety operation targeting key contributors to road trauma over the festive period, involving the highway patrol and other operational police.

"Police will be out in force trying to make sure everyone gets to where they need to be safely."

Captain Cartledge urged the community to make the right choices behind the wheel so the brigade's trucks can stay in the shed this Christmas.

"The last thing any of us want to see is a fatality or serious injury collision during the Christmas period," he said.

"Going to collisions does impact our volunteers but also all emergency responders. A collision also has a ripple effect through the community. They have a huge impact on everybody."

"If you make those right choices you will hopefully arrive at your destination safely."

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