By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
POLICE will saturate roads across Melbourne’s West over the next three months in a bid to reduce fatalities and injuries across the state.
Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill last week launched the “Road to Zero – it starts with you” campaign and urged the community to take ownership of its role in reducing road trauma.
It is hoped the campaign will unite the community to work together to achieve a long-term vision of zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Victorian roads.
Road to Zero, which will include at least 11 road operations, comes in the wake of a horror start to the year. Already 70 people have died – four more than this time last year.
But police are reminding motorists that there is another side to the tragedy – those who are left scarred and maimed by road trauma.
In 2013, more than 5500 people were seriously injured following collisions. AC Robert Hill said survivors are not often spoken of.
“Road trauma is not just about the people who die – it’s about the enormous impact on the community,” he said.
“Everyone is affected by road trauma – from the family left behind, to the emergency services workers who have to cut people out of a wreck.
“These people are not just anonymous names in the paper, they are not a statistic, they are our neighbours, our friends, they are all of us.”
AC Hill called on the community to stand together and pledge to stop the unnecessary carnage on the state’s roads.
He said it is important for motorists to drive to the speed limit and conditions, stay off their mobile phones and show courtesy and respect for other road users.
Police data over the past three months reveals that speed and careless or reckless driving are among the leading causes of road deaths.Transport Accident Commission CEO Janet Dore threw her support behind the campaign and urged the community to unite.
Ms Dore said for every person killed on Victorian roads, a further 20 are left with serious injuries.
“These are people’s brothers, mothers, sisters and sons and, for many of them, life will never be the same,” she said.
“Serious injury is the hidden toll of road trauma and each year close to 6,000 Victorians are affected.
“Victoria Police and TAC invite the community to join with us, to take ownership of road safety and stand together as we work towards our mission of zero road deaths and zero serious injuries.”
