Crime Stoppers Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), with the support of Victoria Police, have launched the Brake the Habit campaign to encourage drivers to slow down on our roads.
Speeding, even at low levels, continues to play a significant role in road trauma across Victoria, contributing to at least 25 per cent of serious injury crashes and 30 per cent of fatal crashes.
One in every three reports to Crime Stoppers in Victoria is currently about high-risk driving behaviour, with many reports submitted including dashcam footage, demonstrating community concern about poor driving behaviours.
“This campaign is a timely reminder to slow down and Brake the Habit before you get caught or someone you care about is seriously injured,” Chief Executive of Crime Stoppers Victoria Stella Smith said.
“If you are in the car and someone is speeding, say something,”
“We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe, and that starts with sticking to the speed limit.”
As part of the campaign, a four-part video series will be released featuring first responders and trauma specialist, Dr Kerry O’Meara, who share their first-hand insights of the impact of speeding on our roads.
Research shows that driving just five km/h over the limit increases the risk of a crash by 44 per cent. At 10 km/h over, the risk more than doubles.
“Speeding remains one of the biggest factors in fatal and serious injury crashes on our roads, and low-level speeding can be just as dangerous as excessive speeding,” TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield said.
“Going a ‘few ks over’ won’t save you much time, but travelling five kilometres an hour less could mean the difference between death and avoiding a crash altogether.”
Victorians are urged to plan their journeys by allowing plenty of travel time and staying alert to changing speed zones, particularly in residential areas. Simple actions such as setting cruise control, regularly checking speed signs and allowing extra travel time can all contribute to safer driving behaviours on our roads.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said is urging drivers to consider the consequences of speeding. “
Penalties for speeding can range from a fine and demerit points to loss of licence and vehicle impound,” he said.
“Most importantly, you don’t want to be responsible for a collision that could potentially cause serious injury or death,”
“Speeding remains the most common offence detected on our roads, so police will continue to be out enforcing and targeting drivers that choose to speed over the limit.”
Crime Stoppers Victoria is also reminding the public that high-risk driving can be reported anonymously.
“If you witness dangerous behaviour on our roads, you can report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria,” Ms Smith said.
“You can include dash cam footage or other supporting videos and images, which can be uploaded when making an online report.”
