RoadSafe Goulburn Valley chairman Des Callaghan says a huge number of families were torn apart in 2023.
By his figures, of the 299 people who lost their lives on Victoria’s roads last year, which was a 24 per cent increase on the previous year, 174 died on regional Victorian roads.
He said in northern Victoria, four died in the Mitchell Shire, 50 in Greater Shepparton, 13 in Moira, six in Strathbogie and 28 in Murrindindi.
And driver error, Mr Callaghan said, remained a major cause.
“Stop signs, red lights, it’s incredible,” he said.
“You can be driving along yourself, and you’ll pull up at lights about to go red, and it’s nothing for them to go straight through. It’s frightening.
“I’ve put in my report that road users have a responsibility to keep everyone safe by sticking to the speed limit, by not driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, mobile phones; basically, obey the road rules.
“Saying that, I can’t pin it — we know our roads are in a diabolical state, they’re in a hell of a state just with potholes — how many deaths may have occurred because of potholes and the road conditions.”
Mr Callaghan said the condition of the state’s roads had become a danger in themselves.
“There’s a saying going around now that it’s against the law if you drive an unroadworthy car, but it’s not against the law to drive a roadworthy car on an unroadworthy road,” he said.
“They’re terrible, and not only on the VicRoads (roads). There’s a hell of a lot of shire roads that are terrible as well. The shires need to step in.”
Mr Callaghan said RoadSafe Goulburn Valley’s work was making a difference despite the challenges.
“We provide programs such as ‘Looking After Your Mates’,” he said.
“We’ve got accredited people in our group who talk with the local sporting clubs. We target the young people. Sporting clubs — cricket clubs, netball clubs. Older road users, we get them on side with us too.”
To be held at the Shepparton RSL sub-branch on Friday, February 2, the meeting will also include a “round table” discussion on the road toll involving Mr Callaghan and state Opposition members of parliament, including Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety Danny O’Brien, Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe and Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland.
Mr Callaghan said the central message his organisation was desperately trying to get across to road users though was to drive carefully.
“Our message is to slow down,” he said.
“Take control of what you’re doing. It’s terrible.
“You think about it now. It’s about 22 I think so far this year and we’ve only just started our second month.”
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