Vic: Road Fatalities Involving Women On The Rise

Victoria's Traffic Accident Commission has issued a plea this week for female drivers to take greater care behind the wheel.

The call comes after new figures released today revealed a 28 percent increase in women killed on the state's roads.

While male fatalities continue to account for the bulk of Victoria's road toll, the number of men killed on the road in 2011 has fallen from 114 to 108. The state's toll currently standard at 145, compared to 143 in 2010.

"There are a range of factors that could explain the increase in female deaths, and one particularly worrying trend is the increase in passenger and pedestrian fatalities," TAC CEO Janet Dore said.

"The role of a passenger is incredibly important in road safety – it is up to you to ensure your driver is concentrating at all times, and if they are tired, offer to swap drivers or suggest a break."

Of the 37 female road fatalities so this year, 14 were drivers and 13 passengers. Female pedestrians make up eight road deaths, along with one cyclist and one motorcycle pillion passenger. 

Female fatalities are spread evenly across the state, with 20 deaths on roads outside of Melbourne, and 17 in the metropolitan area.

Twenty-four of the 35 killed are females aged over 40, and 26 fatalities have occurred during the hours of 8am and 8pm.