By Alesha Capone
Eight people have lost their lives on Wyndham’s roads so far this year.
Figures from the RoadSafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council show that between January 1 and November 26, a driver, a vehicle passenger, a cyclist, two pedestrians and three motorcyclists died on the municipality’s roads.
The fatalities occurred in suburbs including Point Cook, Wyndham Vale, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Mount Cottrell and Tarneit.
RoadSafe Westgate chairman Jim Giddings said that all of the community had a role to play in reducing road trauma, with speed being a contributing factor in many crashes.
“Stay within the speed limit and drive to suit the conditions you face,” he said.
“Speeding affects both the risk of a crash happening and the severity of injuries sustained when a crash does happen.”
Mr Giddings said the work of his group supported initiatives such as operations carried out by the Westgate Highway Patrol.
Sergeant Marty Wallace, from the Westgate Highway Patrol, said police were urging motorists to drive safely in the lead-up to the festive season.
He said it was also important for drivers to keep an eye out for other road users, such as motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
“The Westgate Highway Patrol encourages safe road use and driver behaviour because our aim is to get everyone to where they are going for Christmas safely and home again,” Sergeant Wallace said.
Wyndham’s safer communities portfolio holder, Cr Kim McAliney – who is also a member of the RoadSafe Westgate committee – said three people had died on Wyndham’s roads since the start of November.
“Once you become a statistic, there is no way of going back,” she said.
“Apart from the fatalities and loss of life, every time there is an accident, the city comes to a halt – literally – and so we’re just asking people to take care.”
Report dangerous driver behaviour to triple-0, or call Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000.
