Push for a change on rural roads that could stop 23 fatal crashes a year

Leading crash researchers are calling for the number of mobile speed cameras in regional Victoria to be boosted by 75 per cent, and for the number of roadside drug tests conducted to double.

Experts from the Monash University Accident Research Centre say the changes could stop 23 fatal crashes at 172 collisions which lead to serious injuries every year.

Professor Max Cameron from the Monash University Accident Research Centre says speed cameras are currently too easy to spot in regional areas.

“Speeding is not just a one location problem,” he said.

“Speeding happens everywhere so you need to have a threat of being caught everywhere.

“In Melbourne, because the cameras are operated covertly … people change their behaviour everywhere — That’s not true in regional Victoria.”

Professor Cameron says current random drug testing programs are “very effective for the sort of social drug driver” but a new approach is required to nab those on drugs of dependence.

He wants roadside drug tests to more than double to 390,100 per year.

Press PLAY below to hear Professor Cameron explain why we need more speed cameras on rural roads