A DEVASTATING four days on Victorian roads has left nine people dead, sparking police and government appeals for the state's motorists to take care.
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Victoria's road toll hit 58 – 14 higher than for the same time last year – after a woman was killed in Blackburn on Tuesday morning.
The Scoresby woman, 24, was travelling east at 10.50am on Whitehorse Road near Frederick Street when her car left the road and hit a tree.
A woman was later killed when her car hit a tree and burst into flames in Wyuna, south-east of Echuca.
The carnage was extremely concerning, said Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill.
"Victoria’s road toll is at a critical point," he said.
"We've had a horrific weekend which has capped off an alarming start to the year."
Mr Hill pleaded with drivers to avoid the "fatal five" factors - speed, impairment, fatigue, driver distraction and seatbelt offences.
"To have lost so many people already this year is devastating," he said.
"As a community we cannot accept this. We have to take a stand and help each other.
"If you know someone who shouldn’t be driving, you have a responsibility to say something.
"The last thing we want to see is another life wasted on our road."
There had been a "horrific spike" in the road toll on the Labour Day weekend, said Police and Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells.
"The Victorian Coalition Government has a clear law and order agenda and we support Victoria Police in its effort to make our roads as safe as possible."
TAC chief executive Janet Dore said the tragedies were a timely reminder that despite a recent reduction in the road toll, the community could not afford to relax.
"The TAC reminds the Victorian community that road trauma is a problem that we all own and by using our roads responsibly, we can contribute to a safer future for all.
"Let’s work together to prevent further tragedies on our roads."