The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) is extending an invitation to drivers across the state to participate in the My Country Road survey, aimed at assessing the safety of roads in regional Victoria.
Scheduled to conclude on May 7, the survey is part of RACV's ongoing initiative, the Have Your Say series, which seeks input from Victorians on road safety issues. This initiative includes the RACV My Home and My Melbourne Road surveys.
Utilising an interactive online map, the My Country Road survey identifies high-speed roads in regional Victoria with significant crash records resulting in fatalities or serious injuries. These highlighted roads have speed limits of 80km/h or higher, where fatal or serious crashes occurred between 2018 and 2023.
Interested participants can provide feedback by selecting one of the highlighted roads and completing a survey. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to nominate other hazardous roads in regional Victoria.
Jackie Pedersen, general manager automotive services at RACV, highlighted the organisation's commitment to using survey results to enhance safety measures on regional roads.
“We will share the results with all levels of government, so we can work together to improve safety outcomes for Victorians,” she said. “RACV conducted the first My Country Road survey back in 2021, and 31 regional roads were highlighted as having serious safety issues. Of these, 16 have seen infrastructure upgrades commence or [be] committed to by government.
“In 2023, regional Victoria witnessed 174 road fatalities, marking a nearly 30% increase from the previous year. Given these alarming statistics, it's imperative that Victorians participate in this year's survey to contribute towards enhancing safety on country roads.”
The My Country Road survey also provides an avenue for motorists in regional Victoria to express their views on electric vehicles and the challenges hindering their adoption.
