By PAUL MILLAR
A CONTINUING trend of serious injuries on the region’s roads was a major concern, according to Transport Accident Commission analysis of its latest figures.
And a drop in the road toll was no reason for complacency, the insurance organisation said.
Geelong experienced four deaths, compared with 12 for the previous year, while the Surf Coast was down from five to three.
However, serious injuries, requiring hospitalisation of over 14 days, remained almost the same in both areas.
Geelong logged 32 serious injuries in the 12 months to the end of August this year, compared with 33 the previous year. The figure for Surf Coast was eight this year, one up on last year.
TAC acting head Joe Calafiore said the figures were still well short of the target of no fatalities and no injuries.
“It’s important to point out that the 2013 figures were inflated by a single crash that claimed five young lives at Lara in December 2012,” Mr Calafiore said.
“That tragedy just underlines how quickly a positive trend can turn the other way.
“It is also important to note that the region has not seen the same decline in serious injuries over the past year, so it is vital that the community does not take falling fatality numbers as a signal to be complacent with road safety.”
The deaths, like all road trauma, were largely preventable and had a tragic impact on the community.
“There are seven families who will be grieving for a loved one lost on the region’s roads this year,” Mr Calafiore said.
“Safe driving is not difficult. It’s about driving within the speed limit, making sure you’re not affected by alcohol, drugs or fatigue and avoiding any distractions while driving.
“In addition to its road safety campaigns, the TAC has provided Victoria Police with unprecedented funding for targeted road safety operations to ensure motorists who choose to do the wrong thing are caught.
“The TAC is also providing about $100 million a year over the next decade to provide safer roads infrastructure.”
