Victorian drivers are admitting to taking multiple risks as they drive.
The latest Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Road Safety Monitor – an annual survey of more than 2,000 Victorian licence holders – found that drivers who admitted to one unsafe behaviour were highly likely to report others, showing a pattern of motorist ‘risk stacking’ on the state’s roads.
Almost half (47.4%) of respondents said they had both knowingly driven while ‘quite tired’ and intentionally sped by more than 3km/h over the limit, in the past 12 months.
The survey, which asks about road safety behaviours and attitudes, also found 40.2% of drivers reported both low-level speeding and using a hand-held mobile phone, while 38.2% admitted to using a mobile phone and driving while tired.
Alarmingly, the research shows nearly one in three respondents (32.9%) reported driving after drinking alcohol, as well as driving while tired, in the past year.
The TAC says each of these behaviours is a major contributor to road trauma in Victoria with speeding involved in around one-third of fatal crashes, while around 80% of speeding-related casualty crashes involve exceeding the limit by fewer than 10km/h.
Drink-driving is a factor in around a quarter of road deaths in Victoria, while tired driving is involved in 16% to 20% of fatal crashes.
The full TAC Road Safety Monitor report can be found here.
TAC CEO, Tracey Slatter, said: “These findings are a stark reminder that dangerous driving behaviour puts lives at risk.
“Every dangerous choice – whether it’s speeding, distraction, fatigue or alcohol – raises your risk of a crash and combining them multiplies the danger. Slow down, stay focused, and never drive impaired.
“Reducing road trauma in Victoria means tackling the full picture of driver behaviour, because multiple risky habits can quickly add up with devastating consequences.”
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