Thousands of motorists are failing to heed the most basic rules of driving, such as giving way at intersections and tailgating, according to the latest statistics from police.
Police are urging motorists to focus on the foundations of good driving, warning even minor mistakes or inattention could have catastrophic consequences.
New Victoria Police analysis shows more than 24,000 motorists were fined in a year for some of the simplest road rules.
Such acts of non-compliance typically account for more than half of road deaths yearly.
The analysis — covering the latest financial year from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023 — shows almost 8000 motorists were fined for failing to obey traffic lights alone.
This includes running red lights, ignoring amber lights and disobeying traffic lane signals.
A further 3000 drivers failed to obey stop signs.
Police said behaviour at intersections was of particular concern.
There were 2000 fines for failing to give way at intersections and 1300 for ignoring give-way signs.
Roundabouts appeared a mystery to many who entered them from the wrong lane, ignored traffic arrows and didn’t give way when they were supposed to.
About 2200 drivers were caught tailgating and 1700 didn’t have their headlights and tail-lights on at night.
The broken basic rules included more than 800 motorists failing to use their indicator, while others entered a blocked intersection, overtook on the left or at an unsafe distance, and ignored keep left or keep right signs.
To the continued astonishment of police, 4300 fines were issued for people not wearing a seatbelt or not wearing one properly.
Victoria Police hopes releasing the figures will prompt road users to think about their behaviour and how it affects the safety of others — especially people walking, riding bikes and on motorcycles.
State Highway Patrol solo unit Acting Senior Sergeant Joshua Perkins said little things add up.
“A moment’s inattention is all it takes to cause a crash and the ramifications can last a lifetime,” he said.
“We really want people to think about the basics of good driving and riding — paying attention, following the rules and expecting the unexpected.
“It’s also important we get away from the dog-eat-dog mentality some people have when they get behind the wheel.
“A bit of courtesy costs nothing and goes a long way in making the roads safer for everyone.
“Ignoring the rules doesn’t just frustrate others, it’s dangerous.”
Total infringements: 24,184
- Failing to obey traffic lights - including running red lights, ignoring amber lights and ignoring traffic lane signals: 7984
- Failing to wear a seatbelt or not wearing one properly: 4284
- Failing to obey stop sign: 2935
- Failing to drive a sufficient distance behind a vehicle: 2177
- Failing to give way at an intersection: 2023
- Failing to have headlights and tail-lights on at night: 1718
- Failing to obey give-way sign: 1306
- Failing to indicate: 833
- Failing to give way at a roundabout: 511
- Entering a blocked intersection or one likely to become blocked: 106
- Overtaking a vehicle on the left or at an unsafe distance: 100
- Entering a roundabout from the wrong marked lane/line or disobeying traffic lane arrows in a roundabout: 91
- Failing to keep left of an oncoming vehicle: 60
- Failing to indicate at a roundabout: 45
- Failing to obey keep left or keep right signs: 11