It is fitting that in a week where at least five significant crashes took place in the Wimmera, Victoria police is asking motorists to actively consider the way they drive along on our rural roads.
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May 16-23 is National Road Safety Week, which highlights the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.
On Sunday, May 16, there were three crashes in the Wimmera and another car accident on Monday, May 17.
There were two car crashes on Sunday morning, one in Dimboola on Western Highway and the other on Borung Highway, Cannum. Later that day, there was another car crash on the Western Highway in Bungalally.
On Monday, there was another single-car crash on Dimboola Road in Horsham.
While no one was seriously injured, it highlights the importance of road safety.
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Warracknabeal Acting Sergeant Anna Lake said police would be out making sure people are road safe.
"The importance of road safety is bringing down the death and accidents on our roads," she said.
"We will be out enforcing things like speeding, use of mobile phones and use of seatbelts."
Acting Sgt Lake said country roads differ from urban roads.
"Being country roads, complacency can be a big part of people driving," she said.
"They just get used to vehicles just not being around, so they can be really caught by surprise sometimes being complacent."
In a country area you become very complacent with side roads.
- Acting Sergeant Anna Lake
She said the community need to continue to be alert on the roads.
"Be aware that instances can occur," Acting Sgt Lake said.
"We have wildlife; we have quiet roads out there.
"Fatigue is another big issue. So be alert and being safe. And have those breaks when you need those breaks."
Sgt Lake said people need to be aware of bad habits developed over years of driving.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"In a country area you become very complacent with side roads," she said.
"Vehicles or wildlife can come out of those side roads."
Another issue is speeding, which can be made worse due to fatigue.
"That comes to complacency, people think it's only a country road with not much traffic around and put the foot down," Acting Sgt Lake.
"Then you come up to a corner and you don't realise how tight that corner is."
As rainy days become more frequent, Acting Sgt Lake said drivers need to adjust their driving in that sort of weather.
"You need to adjust your driving manner in the rain," she said.
"Further distance between vehicles and slowing down more than you would around corners."
In rainy conditions, cars must stay five seconds apart; it's three seconds apart in normal conditions.
Sgt Lake said the Western Highway is renowned for people speeding, being complacent and driving while fatigued.
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