Police urge caution as Casey named …

By Lia Bichel
CASEY has the second highest amount of fatalities on its roads, according to the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) statistics.
The TAC last week released detailed statistics on the most dangerous places on Victoria’s roads in 2008. The data showed that 35 per cent of crashes causing death or serious injuries happen in 10 of Victoria’s 56 police service areas.
In 2008, there were 234 smashes on Casey roads, causing 12 fatalities and 280 serious injuries.
Casey came second to Melbourne, with 363 crashes in 2008 resulting in nine fatalities and 391 serious injuries.
Casey Traffic Management Unit Sergeant Pat McGavigan said he believed the number of fatalities was high because of the large number of drivers on Casey roads. “Casey has a high population, far greater than most other council areas,” he said. “So with a greater population, the road toll is higher.”
Sgt McGavigan said the statistics proved that Victoria’s roads could be dangerous and he urged the public to take proper precautions while driving.
The rest of the top-10 dangerous places on Victoria’s roads were Dandenong, Brimbank, Geelong, Yarra Ranges, Kingston, Mornington Peninsula, Boroondara and Frankston.
According to TAC’s road safety senior manager David Healy, Victoria Police is targeting these areas with Operation Ardent. “Casey was the target in July and in coming weeks Operation Ardent will be on again,” he said. “You don’t know when and where, but you have been warned.”
Mr Healy said he was saddened and frustrated by the high number of crashes causing serious road trauma in these areas. “If you live in one of Victoria’s top-10 worst districts for road trauma, this is a wake up call to drive safely on your local roads,” Mr Healy said.