Simple driving fails causing half of all road deaths

Almost 8,000 drivers were nabbed running red lights and ignoring traffic lane signals in Victoria between July 2022 and June 2023. A further 4,300 drivers failed to use stop and give way signs appropriately.

These types of traffic infringements caused more than half of Victorian road deaths each year, police said.

"The saying goes 'little things add up' and nothing could be truer when it comes to your behaviour on the road," State Highway Patrol acting senior sergeant Joshua Perkins said.

"A moment's inattention is all it takes to cause a crash and the ramifications can last a lifetime," he said.

Terrifyingly, 91 people were found to have disobeyed the direction of a roundabout or entered from the wrong lane.

Driving without headlights or taillights at night earned 1,700 motorists an infringement notice during the 12 months.

Behaviour at intersections was particularly worrying, police said.

More than 2,000 people were caught not giving way at intersections while a further 500 people drove into roundabout traffic without checking.

Acting senior sergeant Perkins said it's "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," he said.

"Ignoring the rules doesn't just frustrate others, it's dangerous."

Police urge motorists to consider the safety of fellow road users including pedestrians, cyclists and motorbike riders.