Government accused of having 'blood on its hands' after reported pothole death

A friend of a Ballarat motorcyclist who died in a crash on the Western Highway at the weekend has accused the Victorian government of having "blood on its hands".

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash that killed 71-year-old Peter "Tiki" Mason, but said emergency services responded to reports a motorcycle had struck a pothole and lost control on the Western Highway, near Trawalla Road.

Government slammed over road conditions

Casey Bandy, a fellow Ballarat motorcyclist and friend of Mr Mason, said he "100 per cent" held the state government responsible for his friend's death.

"The government has got blood on its hands," Mr Bandy said.

"It was just a matter of time. We've seen people have car accidents because of the potholes, and now it's become really apparent that something needs to be done."

"We've lost an absolute legend of a man. Tiki was so very humble, so very respectful. To have lost him to something like this is an absolute travesty."

Action committee calls for improved maintenance

Western Highway Action Committee chair Rod Ward said the crash was a tragedy.

"It's just horrible what's happened over the weekend," Mr Ward said.

"Unfortunately it was predictable and preventable in my mind."

"I've just shared a screenshot from a friend who's just completed a lap of Australia and they rated that stretch of the [Western] Highway the second-worst they encountered in Australia. [The worst] was a very short stretch in Far North Queensland but he did write that at least the Queensland road crews were out there fixing it."

The Western Highway Action Committee has been calling on the state government to improve maintenance on the highway where the crash occurred.

"The lack of investment in improving capacity and safety on the Western Highway has been reprehensible," Mr Ward said.

Minister responds to criticism

Ben Carroll said the buck for road maintenance stops with the state government.

"The buck does stop with us," Mr Carroll said.

"There can not be any more buck passing on road maintenance."

"Business as usual on our roads and road resurfacing has not worked," Mr Carroll said.

Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety Danny O'Brien called Mr Mason's death a terrible tragedy.

"These potholes need to be fixed and fixed properly as a matter of urgency," Mr O'Brien said.

"It is time for action and this needs to be the highest priority now so that no more lives are lost on Victorian roads because of government neglect."

Member for Lowan and Nationals MP Emma Kealy said that while police needed to investigate the cause of the crash, "we cannot ignore the broader warning about the condition of Victoria's roads".

"Country Victorians have been telling Labor for years our roads are deteriorating and becoming increasingly dangerous," Ms Kealy said.