Australian state police predict another ‘catastrophic year’ of road deaths

Police say it could be another “catastrophic year” on Victoria’s roads as deaths among motorcyclists and pedestrians rise.

The number of traffic accidents in the state has reached 173 in August, the same total as at this time in 2023.

Officials have revealed that there has been a particular rise in the number of motorcyclists and pedestrians killed.

The number of motorcyclist deaths has almost doubled, from 23 in August 2023 to 42 so far in 2024.

Victoria Police said 29 pedestrians have died so far in 2024, up from 22 this time in 2023.

Deputy Commissioner Glenn Weir said Saturday that the increase cannot continue and that the spike in motorcyclist deaths is a “really horrific leap in trauma.”

He said the trend of bad behaviour on the roads was not going away and was a problem not limited to Victoria but was seen in other states across Australia.

“I’m really worried about where we’re headed with the better weather coming, a lot more events and a lot more people on the streets,” he said.

Mr Weir said officers had had to deal with many serious injury collisions over the past four days, but added: “People can’t blame the weather”.

“None of them were caused by road conditions,” he said. “People need to stop looking for someone to blame and realize that they are in control.”

Speeding has been the main contributing factor, but Victoria Police also raised the issue of distracted drivers, reckless behaviour and people not wearing seatbelts.

He said: “2023 was a catastrophic year on our roads… We don’t want to see this level of trauma again, but sadly, if we continue at this rate, it will be similar or worse.”

Victoria Police is calling on all road users to be alert, slow down and take care on the roads.