New Eastern Region division five road policing advisor senior sergeant Rod Gillow is urging Baw Baw residents to share their road safety concerns at a Drouin forum on Wednesday, June 4.
Community members are being encouraged to share their thoughts on ways to reduce road trauma when Victoria Police holds a Baw Baw Road Safety Forum in Drouin next week.
The forum will be held at Drouin Community Hub on Wednesday, June 4 from 7pm to 9pm.
Eastern Region division five road policing advisor senior sergeant Rod Gillow encouraged all community members to attend, listen to police, ask questions and ultimately share ideas.
He said topics explored would include: road policing, local road trauma statistics, top causes of serious collisions, and safe systems approach.
Snr sgt Gillow said the Victorian road toll was already sitting at 118 deaths for this year, including four fatalities within Baw Baw.
"It's a great opportunity to invite the local community to come along to contribute and actively play a role in reducing road trauma," he said.
"Victoria Police can't do it all. We can enforce the law and road rules, but we need people to be educated. We need people to change their driving behaviour."
Understanding of what's causing collisions in Baw Baw, including data and demographics, will be highlighted.
Snr sgt Gillow said similar forums had been held previously but he would aim to hold events on an annual basis.
The night will be run by a Victoria Police panel, supported by key stakeholders.
Snr sgt Gillow said he was new to the role of road policing advisor, having began two months ago.
Covering the Baw Baw, Bass Coast and Latrobe regions, he said it was a vast and diverse road network including a freeway, high speed rural roads and scenic tourist roads. From increased traffic in coastal towns in summer to snow visitation in winter, the region has it all.
Snr sgt Gillow isn't new to Gippsland, having spent the past 10 years working based in the Latrobe Valley, including five years based at Sale Police Station.
Of what attracted him to the role, he said "diversity, a new challenge".
"It's essentially to be involved in this and play my part in reducing road trauma."
Of his key targets in Baw Baw, snr sgt Gillow said he would be guided by initiatives such as the Baw Baw Road Safety Forum.
A forum at Wonthaggi Town Hall for the Bass Coast region will follow on Thursday, June 5 from 1pm to 3pm.
To register or submit questions for the road safety forum in Drouin, visit ED5-HWP-MGR@police.vic.gov.au
