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2020 a horror year for deaths on East Gippsland roads
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2020 a horror year for deaths on East Gippsland roads

Transport Accident Commission (TAC) road fatality statistics show that for the 12-month period to December 2020, East Gippsland recorded nine lives lost, the second worst result for road fatalities for all Victorian municipalities in 2020.

Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says that the TAC data also shows the road toll for country Victorians has dropped only 20 per cent since 2000, while metro fatalities have dropped 47 per cent.

“I have written to the Roads Minister asking that he visit East Gippsland to discuss with our local Police and Emergency Services and the authorities responsible for our roads why we have experienced such a disproportionate number of road deaths,” said Mr Bull.

“Only Greater Geelong, with 10 lives lost, had a higher death toll, but it has more than five times our population.

“We need to better understand the factors that have contributed to this terrible result in East Gippsland last year, is it driver fatigue, inexperience, dangerous road conditions, delays in medical treatment or a combination of all of these?

“One fatality is one too many, whether on country roads or roads in Melbourne.

“The Government spends millions on road safety and improvements, but it’s not making a big difference in the lives of all Victorians.

“Each life lost is another family torn apart and changed forever, so I urge the Minister to undertake a detailed investigation of last year’s fatal accidents in East Gippsland and share that information with us,” said Mr Bull.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull, pictured inspecting a new safety barrier installation at Cann River, has invited the Roads Minister to East Gippsland to discuss last year’s horror road toll.

Monday, 7 June 2021