Crashes on Melton roads have dropped this year, but highway police say they will continue to be out in full force to reduce road trauma.
There were 129 accidents, including two fatalities, on Melton roads in the seven months to August, compared with 158 in the corresponding period last year.
In the same period, police impounded the vehicles of 67 drivers for various traffic offences including 27 drivers who were disqualified, nine people for exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h and five drink drivers. Of those 67 offenders, 60 were males, 21 were on their probationary licences, three were learner drivers and 40 lived in the Melton Police Services Area.
Senior Sergeant Ross Burbidge, of Melton Highway Patrol, said that while the drop in the number of crashes on Melton roads was a good thing, there were trouble spots at Gourlay Road, Caroline Springs Boulevard, Barries Road and Coburns Road and parts of the Western Freeway.
He said police were targeting those roads, including the use of variable message boards.
“We’re indicating to people it’s a high-collision area, but we’re still seeing some accidents,” he said. “There’s a lot more traffic around those roads and distraction is another factor – some of those people are using their mobile phones while driving.”
As part of two separate TAC-funded operations earlier this year, Melton Highway Patrol officers were out in full force on the Melton and Western highways, Senior Sergeant Burbidge said.
He believed the increased police presence helped reduce road trauma on roads.
“Serious injuries … are the hidden part of the road toll,” Senior Sergeant Burbidge said.
“It’s a big cost to the community and to the individuals – the effects are ongoing and some people never recover.”
Roadsafe Westgate chairman Jim Giddings said his organisation received funding from VicRoads to implement road safety programs across Wyndham, Melton, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong.
And while the severity of crashes are decreasing, he said “any collision is a concern”.
“Driving is not a game,” Mr Giddings said.
