Sharp rise in Victorians killed in car crashes not wearing seatbelts
A growing number of Victorians killed in car crashes are not wearing their seatbelts, contributing to a soaring annual road toll that has shocked authorities.
Eighteen people killed so far this year on Victorian roads were not wearing seatbelts, the same number as the entirety of 2018, the Transport Accident Commission confirmed (TAC).
There have been 114 deaths compared to 76 at the same time last year. It's the worst start to the year since 2008, after record lows in 2018.
On average, one person has been killed almost every day so far this year.
The state government will seek answers on what's behind a sharp increase in deaths by holding an expert summit on May 31.
"We are absolutely horrified," Road Safety Minister Jaala Pulford told Mornings ABC Radio Melbourne.
"I think we have a problem with people not putting their seatbelts on, it's just astonishing to me."
Most of the deaths have come from the regions, where 72 people have been killed compared with 39 at the same time last year. There have been 41 road deaths in Melbourne.
Motorcyclists and cyclists were dying at a higher rate this year.
Ms Pulford said the government was looking at trials into camera technology to catch drivers on their mobile phones.
Earlier this week, she said phones were the "drink-driving of this generation".
The road safety minister denied there were fewer police on the roads.
"That's certainly not my experience, we've had far higher visible police presence on our roads particularly in the areas where the loss of lives has been highest," Ms Pulford told Mornings' host Jon Faine.
"The fear of being caught doing the wrong thing is a powerful motivator."
She added that the government had hundreds of infrastructure projects underway to upgrade roads.
Roma Britnell, Shadow Minister for Rural Roads, blamed pot holes and poor maintenance of country roads.
"While the minister focuses on issues that absolutely are needing to be addressed, what she failed to recognise is that the condition of our roads is particularly deteriorating," Ms Britnell said.
Police in regional areas were having to prioritise crimes like assault and break-ins, she said, and were not able to put the needed resources into traffic management.
Experts from the TAC, VicRoads, Victoria Police, Monash University Accident Research Centre, RACV, Road Trauma Support Services Victoria and motorcycle and cycling advocates will attend the government summit on May 31.