Victoria's road toll rises as cyclist killed in alleged hit-and-run involving drink driver
After a tragic 48 hours on Victorian roads, safety advocates are urging drivers to slow down and pay attention. Among the victims are a sports journalist and a delivery rider, now part of the growing list of lives lost on our roads.
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00:00It's a scene that's become all too familiar.
00:06Police combing through evidence, this time after an alleged hit and run involving a food
00:11delivery rider.
00:12We have these incidents night after night, it's on a weekly basis where we have a collision
00:19and the driver's failing to stop and it's just not good enough.
00:23Members of the public helped the 27-year-old cyclist as best they could, but he died at
00:28the scene.
00:29The man has now been charged with drink driving and failing to stop.
00:34A spokesperson for DoorDash said,
00:36Our hearts are with the rider's loved ones during this horrible tragedy.
00:40We've reached out to Victoria Police to assist with bringing those responsible to justice.
00:45The man is one of five lives lost on Victorian roads in the past 48 hours.
00:53In Richmond, floral tributes had been laid for Herald Sun sports journalist Sam Landsberger,
00:58who was hit by a truck yesterday morning, the AFL community today paying tribute.
01:03Yeah, look a really thoughtful, polite, good young fella.
01:10Very challenging and morbid time for the family, so love to you Jake and Ian and we're thinking
01:16of you.
01:17According to the latest figures, 183 lives have been lost on Victorian roads this year,
01:23up 2.8% on the same time last year.
01:27In fact, the number of fatalities has been climbing post COVID.
01:31Motorcyclist deaths are up 76% on the same period last year from 25 to 44.
01:38Pedestrian deaths are up 41% from 22 to 31.
01:43It's just tragic that we have surpassed last year's number of lives lost already this year.
01:50I think what's more tragic is that so many families, friends, colleagues are now suffering.
01:58Advocates say it's nothing new, speeding, not driving to the conditions, drinking and
02:03driving, driving tired, all these factors are contributing to the rising toll.
02:08They say everybody has a role to play when it comes to keeping the community safe.