Injury ‘rates rising’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A RISE in serious car accident injuries across the Geelong region has alarmed road safety organisations.
TAC statistics show serious injuries increased 10.4 per cent from 2008 to 2010 in Geelong and the Surf Coast.
TAC head Janet Dore said the increase left 285 people seriously injured in the region last year.
“Alarmingly, Geelong had the highest number of hospital admissions of any local government area in the state,” Ms Dore said.
“Each of these seriously injured people has a difficult journey to recover from their physical and emotional injuries.
“Their family and friends are also affected, as they provide support to help their loved one back to health.”
Ms Dore said the TAC supported the Independent’s Shattered Lives campaign to highlight the injury rate on the region’s roads.
“The TAC is pleased to support this community campaign exploring this so-called hidden road toll and the inspiring stories of local people who have been seriously injured in road accidents and are trying to rebuild their lives.
“I implore you to get behind this campaign and to think twice before you get behind the wheel. We, as a community must take responsibility and drive more safely.”
TAC’s figures revealed progress in reducing fatalities but increasing serious injuries.
Geelong and Surf Coast reported 279 serious injuries in 2009, up from 258 in 2008.
Victoria has joined the rest of the world in launching Decade of Action for Road Safety. The United Nations-led campaign aims to reduce global road trauma, particularly in the ages 18 to 25 demographic.