Country drivers are being warned to take responsibility for their own actions to ensure they get to their destination safely.
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One hundred and fifty people have lost their lives on Victorian country roads so far this year compared to 104 in metropolitan Melbourne.
In the lead up to the busy New Year’s Eve period, Victoria Police has joined forces with the New South Wales force to urge people to be safe on the roads.
Victoria Police Road Policing Command Superintendent John Fitzpatrick said drivers must realise there were risks when driving on country roads and acknowledge they had a role to play in making sure they got to their destinations safety.
“Speed, concentration, preparedness and tiredness should all be considerations when taking to our country roads,” he said.
“Long stretches of road, comfortable cars and cruise control can lead to complacency; motorists and riders must not only be mindful of their actions on the road but aware and ready to react in response to other road users mistakes.”
Across the state, almost 600 drink-drivers have been caught since the start of road safety campaign Roadwise, which began on December 15.
“If you’ve been out late the night before your trip or been out drinking, don’t leave early,” Superintendent Fitzpatrick said.
“We’re not here to be party poopers but everyone knows alcohol and or drugs stay in your system. We often pick up drivers over the limit the morning after when impairment is still a factor.”
Superintendent Fitzpatrick said there must be an onus on an individual driver to take responsibility for their own actions.
“On our country roads where 100km/h is not forgiving, there’s simply no room for error,” he said.
