THE region’s top traffic officer is struggling to remember a worse week for road trauma in the region.
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Four people have died on North East roads from last Thursday to this Thursday.
In the most recent crash, a 56-year-old Thurgoona man was killed while changing a car tyre at Numurkah about 7.45pm on Thursday.
Senior Sergeant Darren Wittingslow the driver appeared to have been standing at the boot of his car when the vehicle was rear-ended.
He had been with a friend at the time.
A 53-year-old Shepparton man was arrested at the scene.
Senior Sergeant Wittingslow has been a traffic policeman for 27 years and says the past week has been one of the worst he has seen.
Five people have been seriously injured in addition to the four deaths, with crashes occurring in places including Wangaratta and Corryong.
“I just want to get the message across that each and every one of them were completely avoidable,” he said.
“They didn’t have to happen.
“It’s about driver responsibility and drivers taking due care and paying attention in everything they do.
“Most people don’t realise that driving a motor car is the most dangerous thing they will do in their lives, but it’s taken for granted.”
Senior Sergeant Wittingslow said it was “disheartening and frustrating”.
“The effect on communities, families, friends, relatives … it doesn’t go away,” he said of the deaths.
“It’s never ending.
“This particular week has been one of the worst I can recall for road trauma.
“It is about people understanding that driving is the most dangerous thing they’re likely to do in their entire lives.”
Witnesses to any of the incidents can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.