TAC ad calls on fathers to think twice about their next beer

02 Sep 2009

MEDIA RELEASE: 2 September 2009

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is calling on Victorian dads to think about how drink driving could affect their families.

The TAC has launched a new campaign ahead of Father’s Day, urging dads to think twice before having their next beer.

The radio and newspaper advertisements use the father/daughter relationship to send a poignant drink driving message.

The TAC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Philip Reed said it was the first time the TAC had drawn on the relationship between fathers and daughters to promote the Drink Drive Bloody Idiot message.

“It's in a similar vein to the Mother’s Day ad in May, which told the sad story of the loss of a son,” Mr Reed said.

“Special days like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas and anniversaries, evoke painful memories for families affected by road trauma.”

The advertisements tell the story of a daughter, who this year is buying hankies for herself for Father’s Day, because her dad has died in a drink driving accident.

Aimed at fathers and children, the advertisement asks: “Have you got a Dad? . . . Tell him to think about you before he has his next beer and decides to drive home.”

“We encourage all fathers to listen to the appeal from the daughter in this advertisement and don’t have that extra beer that could put you over the limit,” Mr Reed said.

“The TAC is always looking for new ways to get the road safety message out.

“This ad is a powerful way to get men to think twice about the way they drive. After all, fathers want to be able to look after their children and the daughter’s plea is a plea to all fathers, to consider the consequences of drink driving,” Mr Reed said.

For further information contact Emily Bogue, TAC Communications and Media Adviser on 5225 6450, 0429 416 778

 View or listen to the Fathers day ad here