More than 200 people have died on Victorian roads this year, leaving behind countless loved ones, family members and friends.
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The 216 fatalities is 18 more than this time last year, in fact, it's nearly a 10 per cent increase.
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Last month alone, there were three fatal crashes in central Victoria, including one which killed a Heathcote couple.
And as we get back out on our roads, after a small pandemic hiatus, it has never been more important to take your time and be alert when driving.
Campaspe Highway Patrol Sergeant Paul Nicoll said many factors can lead to a fatal collision.
It has never been more important to drive to the conditions, he said.
"There is a lot more traffic on the roads currently and if anything, there is more than pre-COVID conditions," he said.
"Everyone is out and moving about because they are been locked down for so long.
"We have been seeing a lot more serious accidents since the COVID-19 lockdowns.
We are seeing people not paying attention, people drug and drink driving, people are not taking their time and being patient.
- Campaspe Highway Patrol Sergeant Paul Nicoll
"The volume of traffic on our regional roads has increased significantly."
TAC head of road safety Samantha Cockfield said sadly, there had been a high level of road trauma in recent months.
"Overall this year more people have died on Victorian roads than last (year), despite limited movement due to restrictions," she said.
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"The roads are busier than they've been all year and we are approaching the festive season, so we are reminding all Victorians to take extra precautions.
"Slow down, don't drink and drive, put your phone away, and don't drive tired."
The Loddon Mallee region has bucked the trend however, recording fewer deaths on local roads this year than previous years.
That's not to say people shouldn't be cautious when on the road, Ms Cockfield said.
As of December 7 in the Loddon Mallee region, eight less people have died on the road in 2021 than 2020.
Data shows fatalities increased in the Macedon Ranges Shire and the City of Swan Hill while dropping in the Central Goldfields Shire, Gannawarra Shire, City of Mildura and Mount Alexander Shire.
In the case of Greater Bendigo, Buloke Shire and Loddon Shire the same number of people died in 2020 and 2021.
Traditionally, there are more deaths on rural and regional roads, Ms Cockfield said.
"Speed, distractions, drink and drug driving, and fatigue remain major factors in road trauma, while it is predominantly local people who die close to home on roads in regional Victoria," she said.
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In 2020, there were 117 fatalities on country roads compared to 107 this year.
Sergeant Nicoll said leading into the festive period, highway patrol would be performing a range of operations to target driver behaviour and driver offending.
"The traffic volume has increased, the are a lot more people driving and some people haven't been driving for a long time in country areas," he said.
"People need to take that into consideration and be mindful of the speed limit, the traffic flow and the weather conditions."
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