By XAVIER SMERDON
RESIDENTS from Melbourne’s West are being urged to slow down and save lives when they get behind the wheel.
Roadsafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council, a safety advocacy group that is attempting to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on roads in Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, Melton and Maribyrnong, has recruited western councils to help them with their task.
During the last 12 months 15 people were killed and 1168 people were injured in road accidents across these municipalities.
Roadsafe Westgate chairman, Jim Giddings, said councils and police were working hard to reduce the death and injury toll throughout the West.
“During the last 12 months RoadSafe Westgate members, local government officers and Victoria Police officers worked together in an effort to reduce speeding road users in each of the four council areas,” Mr Giddings said.
“Five locations were identified by each council as a concern to the community. A priority target list of 20 locations was submitted to Victoria Police for their assessment.
“As a direct result of this and other actions there has been an increase in monthly average police enforcement and penalty notices issued for speeding in all council areas.”
Mr Giddings said residents who ignored speed limits were not only endangering their own lives, but all other road users.
“It has been demonstrated time after time that speed is a contributing factor in most road crashes. Therefore stay within the speed limit and drive to suit the conditions you face,” he said.
“Speeding affects both the risk of a crash happening and the severity of injuries sustained when a crash does happen.”
Mr Giddings encouraged residents to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if they witness speeding in their area.
The Victorian Community Road Safety Partnership Program has provided contribution funding to support RoadSafe Westgate in addressing local road safety issues within these municipalities.
For more information visit www.roadsafe.org.au
