Ambulance Victoria data on rural road emergencies highlights the deteriorating state of regional roads and the parallel spike in serious road trauma.
The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said the parlous state of rural and regional roads is a hot topic for her constituents.
“It’s no surprise to locals that there has been an increase in serious injuries sustained from vehicle crashes in rural areas – our regional roads are shockingly neglected by the Allan Labor Government. said Ms Bath.
“There has been an alarming surge in the number of Ambulance Victoria Code 1 rural road emergencies.
“The flow on effect of increased road crashes places additional pressure on our already overstretched ambulance services and hospital emergency departments.
“Labor cannot ignore the fact that these country crashes are occurring at a disproportionate rate compared to metropolitan Melbourne.”
Ms Bath said there’s no amount of spin that can hide the fact Labor has almost abandoned road maintenance, while completed works are failing in no time.
“Road maintenance works in regional Victoria plummeted a staggering 95 per cent last financial year under the Allan Labor Government, leaving surfaces plagued by potholes, crumbling shoulders and overgrown reserves.
“The South Gippsland highway at Lang Lang is a prime example, it’s been patched and failed more times than locals care to imagine in the past 18 months.
“While urgent road safety upgrades such as the Phillip Island Road, San Remo; Leongatha Heavy Vehicle Bypass and duplication of Princes Way between Warragul and Drouin continue to be ignored.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage our roads and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
