The Age: Eleven die in weekend carnage in Vic

Police have blamed a spate of road accidents that has claimed 11 lives on Victorian roads since Friday on a lack of care and attention by motorists. A 24-year-old woman was killed on Monday morning after she lost control of her car about 8am (AEDT) and ran into a tree on Huxtable Road in Pakenham Upper, south-east of Melbourne. Acting Inspector Mick Talbot from the Major Collision Investigation unit said the Pakenham Upper resident died at the scene.

“That’s another fatality in a long line that’s occurred since the start of December,” Insp Talbot said. Insp Talbot said he was “very annoyed” with the extraordinary number of road fatalities over the weekend.

He blamed a lack of care and attention from motorists, saying many of the drivers had either lost control or crossed to the wrong side of the road.

He called for drivers to concentrate better on the roads in the lead-up to Christmas.

“Pay attention to what you are doing,” he said.

“If you don’t, it will be you, you will be a statistic.”

Insp Talbot urged drivers planning to drink alcohol during the busy Christmas party season to organise a designated driver or take a taxi home.

“Don’t drink and drive. If you’re tired – stop and take a break.”

Insp Talbot said it was particularly disturbing that six of the fatal accidents, including an off-road crash, involved motorcyclists.

“That’s a significant over-representation of motorcycle riders (in the road toll) in Victoria,” he said.

Two of the fatalities involved single-bike accidents last Friday.

A 24-year-old Melbourne man lost control of his vehicle, hit an embankment, fell off the bike and slammed into a tree near the intersection of Arthur’s Seat and Main Creek roads at Red Hill, about 6pm (AEDT) on Friday.

A 13-year-old trail bike rider was killed in an off-road crash at Hazelwood, south-east of the state.

The teenager was riding with friends in pine plantation in Firmans Lane when he lost control of the bike and fell off.

A report is being prepared for the coroner. The boy’s death was not counted as part of the state’s road toll.

Insp Talbot said a combination of factors could have contributed to the motorcycle accidents.

“I don’t know if it’s carelessness or a lack of concentration.”

The death of a woman at Pakenham Upper on Monday brings the state’s road toll to 311 – three less than at the same time last year.