The Great Southern Star - January 14, 2020

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03 5662 2294 www.thestar.com.au Tuesday, January 14, 2020

$1.50

OUR HIDDEN TOLL Police plea for lives D EATH TOLL TOLL ON ON OUR OUR R OADS DEATH ROADS

In the 17 month period from January 1, 2018 to June 1, 2019, the likelihood of dying on South Gippsland Shire’s roads continued to rise, with almost one in 10 crashes

to be saved in 2020 THE danger on South Gippsland Shire’s roads has skyrocketed, with an almost one in 10 chance of someone dying in a car crash. To put the number in perspective, both Bass Coast and Wellington shires are closer to one in 50. Deaths aside, there have also been scores of injuries on our local roads, with statistics showing many crash

victims were hospitalised in the 17 months from January 1, 2018: Wellington (112), Bass Coast (81) and South Gippsland (58). “Thousands of Victorians are hospitalised following transport accidents every year. Tragically, in some cases, people involved in accidents suffer life-changing injuries such as an acquired brain injury or paraplegia, and require support for life,� the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Michael Nieuwesteeg told The Star. The obvious dangers of driving in the country have led Monash University’s Dr Ben Beck to call for lower speed limits on rural highways.

Dr Beck, who is also the president of the Australasian Injury Prevention Network, said that “people living outside of major cities have nearly twice the rate of serious road transport-related injury compared to those in major cities. “The quality of the road, the road shoulder and ensuring the presence of appropriate roadside safety infrastructure is also critically important.� FULL STORY PAGE 5.

CLOSE EYE: Wonthaggi Police’s Senior Constable Tom Rynberk is helping keep motorists safe this summer.

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