Police shocked at deaths

A 56-YEAR-OLD Drouin man became the 139th fatality on Victorian roads this year when the vehicle he was driving collided with a tree on Monday.
The collision occurred on Lardners Track, south of Skinners Road, near Drouin at 9.45am.
The man was the sole occupant of the blue Holden Commodore sedan which was travelling north on a straight stretch of road towards Warragul.
He died at the scene.
Police are in complete disbelief at the carnage seen on country roads over the past 10 days.
Since 21 May, 18 people have lost their lives on the road – 17 on country roads, and Road Policing Superintendent Neville Taylor said it was time for the tragedies to stop.
“It is nothing short of devastating for these small communities to lose people they love,” Supt Taylor said. “It just takes one second and one life is gone.
“These deaths have such a profound impact on small townships and the senseless loss of life just has to stop.”
The 18 fatalities have occurred since last Saturday. Throughout May, 35 people have died.
“Victoria Police is doing all we can to change road user attitudes, but once again – we need to ask the community to own some of this problem,” Supt Taylor said.
He pleaded with country motorists in particular to slow down, wear a seatbelt and avoid driving when they were fatigued or had been drinking alcohol.
“This is the age-old advice that we have been giving to Victorians for years, and now it’s more important than ever for people to take that advice and act on it.”