Victoria's road toll rises as cyclist killed in alleged hit-and-run involving drink driver

ABC NEWS (Australia)

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.

Transcript

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.

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