By Emma Ballingall

Local road trauma statistics have been highlighted at a road policing forum in an effort to "learn from the dead to protect the living."

Faced with the haunting and soul destroying task of attending major vehicle collisions, local police sought community help to reduce statistics at the Baw Baw Road Policing Forum on Wednesday night.
A rise in motorbike collisions, men doubling female in statistics and a majority of victims being over 35 years was shared with the 30 attendees at the Drouin Community Hub.
With four lives lost and 39 serious injury collisions on Baw Baw roads already this year, region five superintendent Tracie McDonald emphasised the figures represented real people and cast a ripple effect across family, friends and community. In addition, the incidents weigh heavily on the small team of local emergency services who often know the victims.
Baw Baw Highway Patrol sergeant Andy Milbourne said a majority of people believed they were good drivers.
"(They think) it's not going to happen to me, it's going to happen to somebody else."
However, he said 90 per cent of collisions were caused by influences within a driver's control and a silly mistake could leave a devastating impact.
Speaking of police interpreting local collision data, sgt Milbourne said "we learn from the dead to protect the living."
Major causes of fatal collisions in Baw Baw were: other error, exceeding speed limits, failing to keep left of centre, unfamiliarity with local roads, unfamiliarity with vehicles, and objects on road.
For serious injury collisions, top causes were: slippery surface, other error, alcohol, learner or inexperienced driver, failure to give way, and unfamiliarity with roads.
Fatigue was counted in "other error" statistics.
"At the end of the day, I'd love to put us all out of a job," sgt Milbourne said. "But that's not going to happen."
"Due to the human element, we all need to take responsibility out on our roads."
Supt McDonald said people often believed road trauma primarily impacted young and reckless drivers. However, statistics showed 85 per cent of Baw Baw fatalities in the past five years were people aged 35 years and above. A majority are locals.
"The reality is we are looking at 35 years or older, sometimes much older."
Whilst the road toll is often highlighted, supt McDonald acknowledged serious injuries could be life changing. Those on Baw Baw roads are impacting a mix of locals and visitors.
"The difference between a fatal and serious injury collision often isn't much, it's purely luck," she added. "I don't view serious injury collisions as less serious."
Acting inspector Michael Cirksis said Victoria Police's objective was that "everyone should be safe, and feel safe, on our roads."
He said five-year trends showed fatalities peaked last year before a drop this year. However, serious injury collisions had been rising since 2021/22.
Looking at gender, act insp Cirksis said "there's quite a disparity."
"More than double the amount of men versus females are either dying or being seriously injured on our roads," he said.
The 26 to 35-year-old age bracket recorded a spike in statistics while the age 75 plus group also increased.
There was a red wave of collisions occurring on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4pm to signal when crashes most likely occurred.
Act insp Cirksis said the figures were similar to other regional areas which had high speed rural roads. However, unlike other regions, multi-fatality collisions were rare.
"It's only been sheer luck that only one person lost their life, not multiple."
Responding to a community question, he said the road data didn't reflect suicides or murder-suicides on roads, as "we want the data to purely reflect road safety."
Questions on e-scooters and e-bikes, social media messaging, incorrect road work signage and youth driving education programs were highlighted, with a number of Baw Baw L2P mentors sharing their experiences.
On the rise of motorised scooter and bike use, police highlighted riders must be at least 16-years-old and only travel on roads with a speed limit up to 60km/h.
They said riders often didn't stop when approached by police and urged the community to play its part in reporting issues.
Reports to CrimeStoppers can target any road policing issues and may be done anonymously. Simply call 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au