Why Every Km/h Matters
Most drivers think creeping a little over the speed limit is harmless. Yet research proves the opposite. Travelling just 1 to 10 km/h above the speed limit doubles your risk of being in an accident.
Even small increases shorten your reaction time and lengthen stopping distance. At 65 km/h in a 60 zone, your car travels an extra 1.4 metres every second. That difference is more than a dining table. When a child runs across the street, those metres can mean everything. Speeding isn’t only about limits on signs.
Driving too fast for conditions also counts as speeding. Heavy rain, fog, or heavy traffic requires lower speeds to be able to appropriately navigate less than ideal conditions. Road conditions change quickly, and your approach should change with them.
Relatable Scenarios: Why People Speed
We often justify speeding without thinking about the risks. Common situations we may face as drivers include running late for school drop off or rushing to work after sleeping in. Being late to a footy match or social event are others we could relate too.
The reality is that saving two minutes isn’t worth risking your child’s safety. Pulling over and calling your boss to let them know you will be a few minutes late is better than never arriving. Your boss would rather you be safe than in hospital or worse.
Trying to beat traffic lights not only risks your safety but the safety of others. For potential only a few seconds saved, the risk you take could result in life-changing consequences. Wouldn’t your friends prefer to see you arrive alive at a match or social event late than see you on the news? Each of these moments feels urgent in the moment. Yet slowing down means you arrive safely, every time.
What the Numbers Say
Victoria Police issue thousands of speeding fines every year. Speeding remains the most common traffic offence.
In 2024 alone, speeding contributed to 45 of Victoria’s 284 road deaths. Police use mobile speed guns, patrols, and cameras to reduce offending. The TAC supports these programs because low level speeding still leads to devastating consequences.
Victorian Road Toll – Last Five Years
In Victoria alone, by mid-August 2025, 179 lives were lost. This represents an increase of 3.4 % compared to the 185 lives lost for the same period in 2024.
The five-year rolling average sits at 156 deaths annually. In the 12 months to December 2024, Victoria recorded 289 lives lost, an 8.6 % increase on the year before.
Hospital admissions numbered 5,239, though this was 7 % lower than in 2023 it is still a significant number. These numbers are more than statistics—they are families broken apart by preventable accidents.
The Motorcyclist Reality
Motorcyclists remain among the most vulnerable. They accounted for 67 of the 289 deaths in 2024—nearly one in four. Already in 2025, 35 riders have died, slightly more than the same period in 2024.
Each year, around 2,500 TAC claims come from motorcyclists. Despite safety campaigns, rider fatalities have risen 72% since the Motorcycle Safety Levy’s introduction.
That increase has sparked community frustration and calls for reform. Behind every number is a rider who never made it home.
The Human Cost of Injuries
Not every accident ends in death, but injuries bring lifelong pain. In 2024, 5,239 people needed hospital care after a road accident. Among them, 647 individuals stayed in hospital for more than 14 days. That means weeks of rehab, loss of income, and emotional strain for families. One person’s choice to drive too fast often leaves others with years of recovery.
Penalties That Bite
Victoria’s penalties for speeding are strict. Fines start at $240. Loss of demerit points is applicable for all driving offences. Drivers caught 25 km/h or more over the limit face immediate suspension. Exceeding 45 km/h over the limit and your car may be impounded.
Unlike other states, Victoria does not have double demerit periods. Instead, enforcement is constant. The lesson is clear: slowing down costs nothing, but speeding can cost your license, result in heavy financial penalties and even loss of liberty.
TAC’s Message on Speed
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) continues to push awareness with blunt campaigns. “Don’t fool yourself, speed kills” and “Wipe off 5” are now part of Victoria’s culture. The TAC also funds safer roads, speed cameras, and education programs. Every campaign serves one purpose: to remind Victorians that speeding is in no way in the community’s interest.
Why Slowing Down Saves Lives
Ask yourself – how much time do you actually save by speeding? A matter of a few moments or minutes is not worth doubling your risk of an accident, or the lasting consequences that result. Arriving safely means more family dinners, more time with mates, and more chances to enjoy life. Slowing down won’t kill you, but speeding might.
