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The Benalla-Tocumwal Rd at Muckatah will receive a $610,000 safety upgrade.

The road safety upgrade is part of a Victorian Government plan to spend $1billion to improve the state’s high-risk roads and intersections.

It forms part of a new Road Safety Strategy 2013-22 and Action Plan 2013-16 launched on Friday by Premier Ted Baillieu.

State Member for Murray Valley Tim McCurdy said the upgrade, at Sandmount Rd and Parnell Rd, was vital because of the amount of rear-end crashes caused by no turning lanes on the Benalla-Tocumwal Rd, and poor vision for drivers on minor roads.

‘‘Tragically there has been one fatal crash here during the past five years, one serious injury crash, and three other crashes causing injury,’’ he said.

‘‘This vital local project, which includes right turn lanes, splitter islands, signage and line marking is part of the unprecedented, decade-long boost to road safety where $100million will be spent on local road safety projects each year between 2013 and 2022 under a revamped Safer Road Infrastructure Program.’’

Mr McCurdy said everyone had a responsibility to be road safe.

‘‘It is never an accident when you make dangerous choices, such as drink or drug driving, speeding, talking or texting on phones, not wearing seatbelts or overloading cars,’’ he said.

‘‘There has to be stronger focus on measuring and reducing the hidden toll of serious injuries.

‘‘Much of the focus has been on the death toll, but serious injuries also ruin lives.’’

The government’s new strategy will drive the next decade of road safety in Victoria and outlines priority actions.

It includes bold new measures to further prevent deaths and injuries on our roads and cement Victoria’s position as a leader in road safety through enforcement, education and innovation.

Mr Baillieu said the government could introduce new laws, education campaigns and technology to keep road users safe — but ultimately it was up to drivers to make safe choices.

‘‘Everybody — drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists — has a responsibility to make the right choices because it’s those choices that will help us to stay alert, stay alive and reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads,’’ Mr Baillieu said.

●Victorian drivers caught using their mobile phones will soon face fines of more than $400 as part of new government push — Talk the Toll Down on page 12.