As school holidays come to a close, Victoria Police is warning motorists to take care on the roads as eight people have already lost their lives in road accidents this month.
At the time of writing, five people have died in car accidents within an hour’s drive of Shepparton central business district this year.
The fatal crashes occurred in Euroa, Kialla East, Picola, Rushworth, Seymour and Mansfield.
According to Eastern Region Division 3 highway patrol Senior Sergeant Emma Moloney, police have observed a surge in fatal crashes due to single vehicles colliding with fixed objects off the road.
“Distraction, speed, and fatigue are the three main issues,” she said.
“In this region, the roads are very isolated, country roads ... we’re asking drivers to take adequate breaks, and to be vigilant, not complacent — keep their focus on the road, not on things like mobile phones.”
With the return of school next week, police advise all road users to be cautious due to significant traffic changes.
“All road users have a responsibility to look and be aware of what is around them,” Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said.
“Be five minutes late, that’s better than not turning up at all.”
Last year, 295 people were killed on Victorian roads, which was the highest in 15 years.
Asst Comm Weir said the state is at risk of matching or exceeding that figure if immediate action is not taken.
“Since the start of March up until now, we have seen an explosion in road trauma in Victoria,” he said.
“In the last few weeks, we’ve seen a number of collisions … people may say with Easter and the school holidays, we’re getting increased road traffic, so it’s increased trauma, but we cannot accept that level of thinking.
“Please take care, and help us lower death and serious injury on our Victorian roads.”