A decline in road fatalities statewide has not translated to better figures in Melton and Moorabool.
Figures released by the Transport Accident Commission last week revealed fatalities in the year to September had dropped 16 per cent across Victoria.
But Melton figures for the same period showed the number of local road fatalities increased from four to five.
In the Moorabool police service area, which includes Hepburn and Golden Plains shires, the total almost doubled, from seven to 12.
Twenty people involved in Melton road accidents required more than two weeks of hospital treatments in the 12 months to March, up from 13 the previous year.
Melton highway patrol’s Leading Senior Constable Allan Edwards said despite the increase, local road deaths were still under the long-term average of six.
“The traffic side of the police force has had a much higher profile in the past few years,” he said.
“It’s been pushed to everybody; it’s not just the highway patrol that deals with road safety and I think that’s having a flow-on effect to reducing road trauma.
“Also in the last couple of years there’s been a fairly substantial improvement to vehicle safety; each model is safer than the previous one.”
Despite the lower toll, TAC chief executive Janet Dore said motorists still needed to take care.
“The summary shows that in the 12 months to the end of September 2013, fatalities in Melbourne reduced by 16 per cent on the previous year,’’ Ms Dore said.
‘‘But many localities have seen a tragic increase in local road trauma.’’
Ms Dore said reducing road trauma was a community effort.
‘‘Nearly 200 families have lost loved ones on the road this year.
“Let’s all make a commitment, for the sake of those families, to continue driving safely.’’
On Friday, the statewide road toll for the year was 182.
