Police are issuing an urgent road safety warning to all motorists as Victoria enters a high-risk period for death and serious injury.
Twenty-eight people died on Victoria’s roads in September last year — the highest number of fatalities recorded for the month in 16 years.
It was also the deadliest month for the entire year.
Police intelligence shows two-thirds of the fatalities recorded last September — 19 of the 28 lives lost — were vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists.
Motorcyclists made up almost 40 per cent of all road users killed.
Police suspect excessive and inappropriate speed, unauthorised riding, not wearing appropriate protective riding gear and driver behaviour around sharing the road with motorcyclists were key factors in fatal collisions involving motorcyclists.
With spring a time when many recreational motorcyclists jump back on their bikes, police are urging all riders to be extra cautious.
They’re also calling for other road users to pay due attention to their surroundings.
Victoria has recorded 197 deaths on the roads so far this year, 40 more than at the same time last year.
Police are determined to avoid a repeat of last September’s road trauma trend and will prioritise road policing enforcement across the month.
A statewide road policing operation will start at the end of the month, coinciding with the AFL grand final long weekend.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir urged drivers not to be complacent.
“The number of lives being lost on our roads this year should absolutely be cause for concern for everyone,” he said.
“We want everyone to think about not only their own safety but how their decisions and behaviour behind the wheel can impact the safety of others.
“September is a fantastic time of year — it’s the start of spring, footy finals, spring racing … there’s lots to look forward to.
“Let’s ensure it stays that way — we don’t want September to be renowned for road trauma.”