VICSES Tallangatta Unit urges driver caution amid spike in rescues

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Tallangatta Unit volunteers are urging community members to take care while navigating country roads this winter, with local volunteers having been called to seven road crash rescue (RCR) incidents in the last eight weeks alone.

Since the beginning of the year, VICSES Tallangatta Unit volunteers have responded to 11 RCR incidents in their response area, nearly tripling the unit’s yearly average since 2009/10 and prompting local first responders to call on motorists to drive to the conditions to ensure they arrive at their destination safely.

The spike in road-related incidents has included seven since the beginning of June, and three in the first 14 days of July.

As colder weather continues to settle in and stormy conditions prevail more regularly on the border, motorists are being encouraged to exercise additional care when driving in the region, particularly when using high-speed country roadways, and always remain aware of road hazards such as downed trees or wild animals.

In addition to an increase in RCR callouts, VICSES Tallangatta Unit volunteers also responded to 41 reports of trees down in the most recent calendar year.

Often falling during or in the wake of a significant wind or rain event, trees can pose a significant threat to homes and road infrastructure and can result in unfamiliar or dangerous conditions for motorists.

If travelling in stormy conditions, motorists are urged to pull over away from trees and drains where possible, and pre-emptively park vehicles undercover and away from trees if storms are forecast in advance.

The increase in road crashes in the state’s far north east has also been reflected across the wider VICSES Hume region, with volunteers called to almost 400 RCR incidents in the last 12 months, some 90 incidents more than the region’s previous high (2023/24).

VICSES is the largest principal RCR provider in the state, with more than 100 units accredited to provide vital rescues using hydraulic tools such as the jaws of life to save lives on Victorian roads.

For more information about VICSES’ role in responding to road incidents across the state, or to learn more about volunteering with VICSES, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.

Quotes attributable to Zachary West, VICSES Tallangatta Unit Controller:

“Our VICSES volunteers are highly trained to play a vital role in saving lives in our communities, but it’s also important motorists take steps to ensure they can arrive at their destination safe and well each time they get behind the wheel.

“By simply driving to the conditions and limiting travel during adverse weather, motorists can considerably lower their risk of a crash, particularly during the winter months.”