ONLY two weeks into the year, and Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has issued a plea for motorists to be careful on the roads following a spike in road deaths.
Since the beginning of the year, 14 Victorians have died on the road, up five from the same time last year.
“We’ve seen in the last week or two, tragically, too many deaths on the roads,” Mr Baillieu said.
“I know Victoria Police are exasperated about this, I’m exasperated about this.
“It is a reminder to all Victorians, particularly young Victorians, that a moment’s concentration lapse can have tragic consequences. It is a reminder that a moment of distraction can have tragic consequences as well.”
He said his simple message was, to young people in particular who are in a car, “if you’re driving, slow down. If you’re drinking, don’t drive”.
“Please concentrate on the roads at every single opportunity. We’ve seen too many families facing tragic times in recent days.”
Of the nine tragic deaths in 2012, five were aged between 18 and 25.