In 1971, 1061 lives were lost on Victorian roads in one year.

We now have four times as many cars on the road and about 250 people dying each year in crashes. People just wouldn’t have thought that was possible.

The truth is that while Victoria has a proud history in road safety, the gains that we have been making in road trauma prevention have plateaued.

That’s why it’s time for a monumental change – to commit to a future where no one has to die or be seriously injured on our roads, to commit Towards Zero.

Towards Zero is not just a campaign. It’s a new approach to the way we think about road safety.

It’s backed up by the Victorian government’s Towards Zero 2016-2020 Strategy and Action Plan, which sets out clear actions that will see us achieve our vision.

We know that 90 per cent of Victorians support Towards Zero. However, only 15 per cent believe it’s possible.

The best countries for road safety in the world have reduced road trauma with Towards Zero as their focus.

We can achieve zero by having a safe roads system.

One that has safer people in safer cars travelling at safer speeds on safer roads.

One of the biggest issues we face is that 44 per cent of deaths take place on high-speed rural roads.

That’s why the Transport Accident Commission is investing $340 million in road infrastructure on more than 2500 kilometres of country roads. The TAC is also investing in better infrastructure to keep cyclists and pedestrians safe in busy areas.

It’s also investing in programs to keep Victorian young people safe and supporting increased drug testing and new booze buses across the state.

But if Victoria is to see a reduction in road trauma, we all need to understand the important role that each of us plays.

Towards Zero acknowledges that, as humans, we make mistakes.

Towards Zero is about harnessing the understanding, that the majority of us do the right thing on the roads. We need to continue to do that and encourage the people around us to play their part.

BRUCE CROSSETT

Acting Chief Executive, TAC