The Transport Accident Commission has released findings from its annual Road Safety Monitor, which surveyed more than 2,500 Victorians to identify their 2020 road behaviours and perceptions.
The survey found an increase in the use of “active transport”, with 60 percent of respondents reporting they walk to go somewhere at least once a week – up from 55 percent in 2019.
Riding a bike on the roads at least once per week increased from eight percent in 2019, to 10 percent last year.
The findings also show that Victorians still predominantly drive.
Other key Road Safety Monitor findings include:
- 39 percent of respondents admit to intentionally exceeding the speed limit in a 60 km/h zone, while 40 percent sped in a 100 km/h zone (steady on previous years)
- 28 percent of drivers use a hand-held phone while driving (a decline from 37 percent since 2016)
- 38 percent report driving while feeling very tired (55 percent among drivers aged 18-25)
- 41 percent of people say they have driven after drinking alcohol (legally), a reduction from 50 percent in 2019
“It is a busy time on the roads, and we know that the road user profile is changing with more people opting to walk or ride, so we must have safety front of mind,” said TAC CEO Joe Calafiore.
“Over the past two years, most Victorians have travelled significantly less, but now that we are traveling more, we need to look out for each other and make safe choices.”
