Increasing fatalities on Victoria’s roads is the focus of another parliamentary inquiry, which is investigating the causes of the current road toll and the adequacy of Victoria’s road safety approaches. As detailed in our submission, COTA Victoria believes it is time to take a public health approach to planning for future trends. Our ageing population should be a major consideration in determining road safety priorities and investment decisions.
Pedestrian fatalities are a key issue. More than 400 pedestrians have lost their lives on Victorian roads in the last ten years, one-third of them aged 70 years or over. People aged 65+ make up only 15% of the population, but account for 39% of pedestrian fatalities. Action is needed on a number of fronts to reduce high fatality figures for both walkers and bike riders.
