A Toyota Hilux ute and Holden Equinox landed in a farmland paddock after colliding on Boomahnoomoonah road last Thursday. Both drivers were transported to hospital with extensive injuries.
Warning for roads deadliest month
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Victoria Police are issuing urgent road safety warnings to all motorists and warning young people about the dangers of drink driving as the state enters a high-risk period for death and serious injury.
There were 28 lives lost on Victoria’s roads in September last year, making it the deadliest month for the entire year.
Police intelligence shows two thirds of the fatalities recorded last September were vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Their intelligence also shows that 25 per cent of drink drivers detected in Victoria are aged under 25. The number of drink drivers aged under 25 increased 11 per cent in the year to March 2023 compared with the previous 12 months.
With spring a time when many recreational motorcyclists jump back on their bikes, police are urging all riders to be extra cautious as they suspect excessive and inappropriate speed, unauthorised riding, not wearing appropriate protective riding gear and driver behaviour around sharing the road with motorcyclists were key factors in fatal collisions.
Sporting club officials and parents are encouraged to arrange alternative transport so players can celebrate with teammates and make it home from end-of-season functions safely with probationary and learner drivers required to have a zero-blood alcohol limit, meaning they cannot have any alcohol in their system while driving.
Police are also reminding young drivers the penalties for drink driving are significant.
Drivers aged under 26 or subject to zero blood alcohol content conditions receive an on-the-spot $577 fine and six-month licence disqualification for a first offence, while novice drivers receive an on-the-spot fine of $481 and a three-month licence disqualification.
More serious drink driving offences can result in further penalties including vehicle impoundment, licence cancellation or extensive disqualification, hefty fines, and even jail time.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
Failure to giveway results in extensive damage
A Toyota Hilux ute was travelling west on Carmichaels Rd when a 35-year-old male driver failed to give way to a Holden Equinox being driven by a 33-year-old male travelling south on Boomahnoomoonah Road at approximately 8.30am on Thursday, September 7.
Both vehicles were extensively damaged and landed in a farmland paddock.
The Hilux driver was transported to North East Health in Wangaratta then flown to the Alfred with head, kidney, back injuries and will spend the next couple of weeks recovering in Melbourne.
The Holden driver was transported to Wangaratta with a compound fracture to his ankle, a broken elbow and back and rib injuries.
Both drivers were extremely lucky.
The offending driver will be processed at a later date for Careless Driving.
Distraction leads to tree collision
A Mazda CX7 crashed into a tree on Yarrawonga-Benalla Road at Telford when the driver became distracted.
Police and Ambulance officers were called to a single vehicle collision on the Yarrawonga-Benalla Road, Telford where a 54-year-old South Morang female was travelling south with her 23 year old daughter at approximately 11.25am on Friday, September 8.
The driver became distracted and veered off the road colliding with a tree. Their Mazda CX7 was significantly damaged and assisted by passersby until emergency services arrived shortly on scene.
Both occupants were transported to North East Health with the passenger receiving a knee injury and the driver chest pain and injuries.
The driver has been issued an Infringement notice for Careless Driving.
These two incidents are a timely reminder to drivers to please take care on the roads.
Distraction and complacency can easily lead to fatalities.
Cannibas seized
A 33 year old male from Yarrawonga was intercepted driving at Robinson Way on August 15 with a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle. A positive evidentiary drug test was conducted with cannabis seized. The offender has been summonsed to court.
Learner driving without supervision
A 19-year-old female learner driver from Yarrawonga was intercepted on Witt Street on August 17 driving without supervision. Her vehicle was impounded and she has been summons to court.
The day before on August 16 a 20 year old male offender from Hoppers Crossing was found to be driving with a suspended licence. His vehicle was impounded.
Drink driver caught
A 47-year-old male from Yarrawonga was intercepted driving and conducted a preliminary breath test which returned an evidentiary breath test reading of 0.138. The driver received an immediate licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded. The driver has been summonsed to court.
Robbery intercepted
Police interrupted three male trespassers attempting to steal property from the Yarrawonga Transfer Station on September 6.
One 31 year old male offender was arrested at the scene with the other two male offenders (51 years and 50 years) fled but have since been arrested, charged and bailed to court.
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