Easter Road Toll Myth

So I am very relieved to get through the Easter period. I took it safe and did not get in a car at all. Now I will be right for the year... the danger has passed!

Or has it?

I decided to take a closer look at the TAC VICTORIAN figures:

Total and average deaths on weekends:

2006: 118 deaths Sat & Sunday, 22 deaths Friday night
2005: 118 deaths Sat & Sunday, 16 deaths Friday night
2004: 113 deaths Sat & Sunday, 22 deaths Friday night, 2407 Serious Injuries
2003: 117 deaths Sat & Sunday, 22 deaths Friday night, 2480 Serious Injuries

Now this data needs to be scaled for a long weekend.

I have multiplied the sat & Sunday deaths by 2. And then added the Friday deaths.

This gives 4.9 deaths and 92 Serious Injuries a 'long weekend'.

Now for the Easter data from over the years:

2007 - Approx. 10 deaths
2006 - 3 deaths
2005 - 6 deaths, 79 serious injuries
2004 - 1 death, 80 serious injuries
2003 - 4 deaths, 95 serious injuries
2002 - 6 deaths, 79 serious injuries
2001 - 6 deaths, 76 serious injuries

Which averages:

5.14 deaths and 81.8 serious injuries over the four day period.

Which is ever so similar to the year long average!?!?

Which leaves me to make my point, driving during Easter is dangerous, yet it’s just as dangerous as driving during any other time of the year! And if we assume that the roads are busier over Easter, and more drivers are driving on unfamiliar roads, then Victorian's drive safer over the Easter break then usual.

So perhaps the media could report that the true tragedy is that the Easter road toll happens each weekend.