Victorians urged to drive with more caution after devastating fatal crashes
Eleven people died on the state's roads in the last five days, bringing this year's road toll to 114.
Seven of the fatalities occurred in regional areas and the remainder in Melbourne and surrounding areas.
Two Trentham Country Fire Authority volunteers are among those being mourned following a two-car crash at Eganstown, near Daylesford, on Monday.
Crews from Daylesford CFA were called to the scene and brigade captain Glen Webster said it was a relief Trentham volunteers were not sent to the crash.
"Your mind immediately goes to, 'Where are my loved ones at the moment? Are they heading back into Daylesford? Could it be them?'" he said.
Later that day Daylesford crews were called to a second incident involving a man pinned under an excavator on a private property.
After several hours he was freed and taken to hospital — but the day was not over.
That evening the rescue team returned to the Midland Highway crash site to help remove the bodies from the wreckage.
Mr Webster said volunteers were only cleared to attend fatal incidents once they had built up some experience.
"I don't let them move up into the rescue area until quite some time," he said.
"I need to see … over a couple of years, that they are able to emotionally cope with that."
Mr Webster said debriefings and peer support were provided to volunteers after traumatic jobs.
Bernadette Nugent, the chief executive of road trauma counselling and driver education not-for-profit Amber Community, said the toll of road incidents was especially acute in regional areas.
"The ripple effect of road trauma is far and wide," she said.
"But if you live in a relatively small community, the likelihood is that the first responders, whether they be emergency services or just anyone who happens to be driving by, often know the people involved in the collision.
"It's devastating … and it brings home how quickly life can change."
Ms Nugent urged people to drive as if all other road users were loved ones.
"It's about people taking individual responsibility, about, 'How am I keeping myself safe, but also all of the other road users around me?'" Ms Nugent said.
Initial investigations by Victoria Police showed driver distraction and failing to heed a give-way or stop sign were among the causes of the recent crashes.
Mr Webster said speeding, driving under the influence and driver distraction were the three major causes of road trauma he had witnessed in his career.
"It's so tempting to look at your phone for a second or two — you just can't do that," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
31 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘Is it illegal?': Huge question over Kmart's new $5 car solution
Road trips are the perfect excuse for a cheeky Macca's stop, but as many Aussies have discovered, eating in a car can be a tricky skill to master – especially if you're a dip fan. But if you've ever been victimised by a pot of Sweet 'n' Sour (don't act like you've not spilt your favourite condiment all over your console) then you may be interested to know that Kmart has just released a $5 item designed to help drivers and passengers alike from spilling sauce. The Car Chip and Dip Holder is a nifty new product that cleverly holds your hot chips, and more importantly, has a little compartment that holds your dip too, so you can concentrate on shoving fries in your mouth and not making a mess. It only recently hit shelves but already shoppers are raving about the 'genius' road trip solution, with Kmart stating it was 'selling very fast'. 'At Kmart, we aim to offer practical and affordable solutions that enhance our customers' daily experiences,' a spokesperson told 'The product was developed to address the common challenge of enjoying snacks on the go without the mess. 'By fitting seamlessly into standard car cup holders, this $5 accessory offers a convenient way to hold chips and dip during road trips.' But while response from shoppers has been 'overwhelmingly positive', with Kmart boasting it was due to the Car Chip and Dip Holder's 'functionality and affordability', some had raised concerns over the product. 'It would be good if it wasn't illegal to eat and drive,' one wrote on TikTok. 'Good idea if you want to cop a fine,' another agreed. As one asked: 'It's a good idea but so confused on how it's allowed to be sold considering it's illegal to eat and drive.' Kmart said the product, which slips into a standard cup holder, should only be used when not interfering with the driver's attention or control of the vehicle. While road rules differ from state to state, both New South Wales and Victorian road safety legislation clearly stipulate that a driver must not drive a vehicle unless that driver has proper control of the vehicle. Failure to do so will result in penalty units. Technically though, eating isn't illegal, however tucking into food is often deemed to be a distraction that impairs drivers from having full control of a vehicle so it's 'just as likely to get you in trouble', according to the NRMA. Others however said that the black car accessory was 'genius', as some called for a KFC version for chips and gravy. 'If I buy this I know I have a problem,' one joked. 'What an invention,' declared another, while one remarked, 'game changer'. However one posed a serious question some hadn't considered: 'But where will the drinks go now?'
Daily Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Luxury vans to shock Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. A new breed of beast is lurking in the Australian car market, and it's not a typical SUV or sedan. These machines are all about space, speed and luxury, and they might just be the most opulent people movers to hit Australian roads. The first is called the Zeekr 009 Grand, and it's a sub-variant of the already luxurious Zeekr 009 currently on the market. Zeekr, a member of the Geely group alongside Volvo and Polestar, initially unveiled the standard 009 in 2024, offering six or seven-seat variants priced from $135,900 and $139,900 before on-road costs. Zeekr 009 Grand. Picture: Supplied MORE: Gorgeous looks for new Italian supercar Sales have increased since the launch, with 66 vehicles sold through June of this year. Zeekr is looking to further explore uncharted territories with a proposal to introduce a more luxurious 'Grand' version of the 009. The Grand doesn't have a confirmed price for Australia; however, the variant has already hit the Chinese market at a price that's roughly double that of the standard 009 variant. It's by far the most luxurious vehicle I've sat in. From the inside out, the Grand is packed with features you'd typically expect in a high-end hotel suite. For starters, passengers can enjoy complete privacy thanks to a world-first revolutionary glass technology that offers 10 levels of adjustable window tinting. There are two reclining airline-style rear seats mounted behind the C-pillar, designed with legroom and passenger comfort in mind. Each seat is 24-way power adjustable and separated by a raised centre console that houses a touchscreen control pad for the massive 43-inch LED rear entertainment screen as well as a 31-speaker Yamaha surround sound system and an 18-litre refrigerator. Zeekr 009 Grand. Picture: Supplied Zeekr 009 Grand. Picture: Supplied MORE: What is the best car of the 21st century? The cabin itself is wrapped in hand-polished stainless-steel elements and real Himalayan marble, making it feel more like a private jet than your typical people mover. Like the base 009, the Grand features a dual-motor electric powertrain that can propel the people mover from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds in this application. For a car that weighs over three tonnes, that's pretty impressive. According to Zeekr, this variant offers a driving range of up to 702 km on China's optimistic CLTC test cycle. While the Grand would be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there's no guarantee it will be produced in right-hand drive at this stage. Zeekr is in the process of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will be informed by the sales performance of other 009 variants globally. If Zeekr decides to make a right-hand variant and bring it to Australia, who would they compete with? Well, for starters, there is the Lexus LM500H. Priced from just over $220,000 (before on-roads), the top-spec Ultra Luxury version is a four-seat private jet on wheels. Power comes from a 2.4-litre turbocharged hybrid set up, delivering a combined 273kW to all four wheels — a far cry from the electric Zeekr, but still potent. Inside, the LM is kitted out with a 48-inch wide-screen display that can be split between passengers for personalised entertainment. There's also a mini fridge, plush Ottoman seating, and noise-cancelling technology. 2024 Lexus LM luxury people mover. 2024 Lexus LM luxury people mover. MORE: Huge change coming to Aussie roads Then there's BYD's luxury sub-brand Denza, which is tipped to arrive in Australia by the end of 2025 with its first model, the Denza D9. The D9 has been a runaway success in China, selling nearly 118,000 units in 2023. The top-spec versions are expected to cost around AUD $126,000 locally, though pricing hasn't been finalised. Buyers will be able to choose between three plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants and two full-electric versions, with driving ranges ranging from 600 km to 970 km, depending on the configuration. Inside, the D9 offers up to four or seven seats, a 15.6-inch floating touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, and a head-up display. A 2024 refresh added electric suction doors and more premium touches aimed at family buyers with a taste for tech. If Denza launches the D9 here, it will add another high-end, hi-tech option to Australia's emerging premium electric people mover segment — one that values sustainability as much as comfort. It seems clear that several brands believe there's a growing market for luxury people movers. It is a niche that combines high-end comfort with cutting-edge technology and sustainability. This emerging demand could be the convincing factor that pushes Zeekr to bring their 009 Grand to Australian shores, offering buyers an entirely new level of opulence in the electric vehicle segment. Originally published as Zeekr 009 Grand: Could this be the most luxurious people mover ever?
ABC News
8 hours ago
- ABC News
School holiday snow tourists urged to drive safely amid surge in vehicles sliding off road
Holiday-makers hitting visiting ski fields in New South Wales are being advised to drive to the conditions amid a surge in vehicles sliding off roads. More than 6,000 motorists were estimated to have attended ski resorts over the weekend, which forced road closures after car parks at Perisher and Thredbo reached capacity. It is peak period in the Snowy Mountains due to the rush from the NSW and ACT school holidays. "So far this snow season, there's been a fourfold increase on last year with people sliding off the side of the road," Transport for NSW operations management executive director Craig Moran said. Mr Moran said there had been about 100 instances of cars sliding off the road so far this winter, but none were considered to be major crashes. Roads remain busy today and Kosciuszko Road or Alpine Way may be closed again due to car parks filling up. Visitors are encouraged to take public transport including the Skitube or the NSW government's Snowy Mountains Bus Service. Drivers can subscribe to SMS alerts from Transport for NSW for information about car park capacity. They are also being urged to fit snow chains to their tyres. "Driver error and inexperience is playing a factor," Mr Moran said. "Please slow down, be easy on the brake and accelerator and just be patient. "Driver behaviour generally has been pretty good … it's just some people making poor choices." Mechanics in Jindabyne have plenty of experience repairing vehicles during winter. Snow Country Automotive co-owner Megan Shirk said it was "anticipated". "Winter is our crazy, busy period," she said. Ms Shirk said vehicles needed work after long trips, wildlife strikes or collisions en route to the ski resorts. "Just last week we had a two-in-one job — one guy had swerved off the icy road into another girl's car," she said. Ms Shirk said she could empathise with those travelling long distances to get to the slopes but urged drivers to slow down. "I used to be a Sydneysider — I know the story," she said. "You drive six hours or so to get here and all you want to do is get to the snow. "I can understand people are impatient these days, but people aren't driving to the conditions and slowing down."
