Geelong has had the same number of fatalities as last year, according to new data from the Transport Accident Commission.
The region’s 14 road deaths was the same as last year, up from 11 in 2011.
Surf Coast had a big drop in road deaths, however, falling to four from 11 last year and eight in 2011.
The newly released statistics revealed a spike in fatalities and injuries on regional Victorian roads compared to Melbourne.
The latest data shows that between April 2012 and April 2013, there were 160 deaths in regional Victoria, an increase of 7 per cent on the previous 12 months.
In Melbourne, there were 109 fatalities in the same period, down from 129, a 16 per cent reduction.
Geelong region claims involving a 14 day acute hospitalisation dropped however, from a previous high of 20 to 11 in the 12 months to October 2012. Surf Coast had a smaller drop, from 19 to 11.
TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said the statistics served as a tragic reminder of the need for Victorians to take extra care on country roads.
“Injuries involving a hospital admission have increased four per cent in rural Victoria, with 1,863 heading to hospital after a crash,” Ms Dore said.
“This compared to a two per cent drop in Melbourne.”
Ms Dore said TAC was allocating $1 billion over 10 years to the Safer Road Infrastructure Program to improve Victoria’s regional road toll.
The work includes sealing of shoulders, installation of rumble lines, wire rope barriers or guardrails and intersection improvements.
