By Belinda Nolan
BRIMBANK’S road toll is on the decline, with the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the city’s roads steadily reducing over the past three years.
Latest figures from the Transport Accident Commission reveal the municipality’s road toll has hit its lowest level since 2007, with a total of five people killed between September 2009 and August this year, compared with six in 2008 and 2009.
The municipality had also recorded a fall in the number of serious injuries, with 125 accidents resulting in hospital admissions in the past 12 months to August, down from 189 in 2008 and 174 last year.
Brimbank Highway Patrol Sergeant Rod Stein said police had also noticed the trend and had recorded two fatalities to date this year, compared with six last calendar year, nine in 2008 and six in 2007.
“So far this year there’s been a 25 per cent reduction in serious injuries and last year there was a 28 per cent reduction, so we’re really pleased,” Sgt Stein said.
“Since the start of the year there have been 87 serious injuries resulting in hospital admissions, which is a significant decline from the previous year which stood at 171.”
Sgt Stein credited pro-active policing and TAC campaigns for the reduction.
Sgt Stein said police caught almost 40 people per month using mobile phones, while 30 were nabbed without seatbelts and 90 speeding.
“We’re committed to bringing these stats down and taking dangerous drivers off the road.”
