TAC awards community grant to eastern football league for new road safety program

05 May 2009

MEDIA RELEASE: 5 May 2009

The Eastern Football League (in partnership with RACV, RoadSafe, Connect East, and various local councils) has been awarded a community grant to improve the attitudes of young drivers on the roads.

The road safety program is one of 19 community road safety projects that will receive a total of around $450,000 from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to make Victoria’s roads safer.

Shaun Leane, Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region said, “It’s fantastic that the Eastern Football League has received a $20,000 TAC community grant to educate young drivers on good driving behaviour. “

“This is an important initiative because young drivers continue to be overrepresented in Victoria’s road trauma statistics. While young drivers represent around 14% of all licensed drivers, 18 to 25 year olds represent around 27% of drivers killed and 29% of drivers seriously injured in Victoria,” said Mr Leane.

The main component of the Eastern Football League project involves education programs being delivered to two target groups of 16-18 year olds and 18-25 year olds:
• The younger learner drivers will undertake the RACV Free2Go program which provides information for first time drivers.
• The older group will take part in the RoadSafe “Looking After Our Mates” program that provides information on driving, alcohol and good decision making.

Eastern Football League Chairman, Graeme Halbish said, "The EFL are pleased to be given the opportunity to introduce a road safety program into our clubs, and will not only be focusing on the clubs participating in the program, but will also be looking to educate the general EFL public.”

“The league will have a road safety page in our weekly football record, as well as a dedicated section on our revamped website. For our clubs it is a great way to educate their players in general information about driving, alcohol and good decision making plus safe road user behaviour," said Mr Halbish.
 
Community Road Safety Grants represent an important tool for the TAC to facilitate road safety initiatives at a local level.  The TAC encourages community groups, including local councils, to prepare applications for projects that target a specific road safety problem. 

Funding is available for community-based projects conducted by not-for-profit groups that identify a problem and provide a solution.

The next round of applications will be accepted up until 14 August 2009. Grant application guidelines are available at www.tacsafety.com.au or by contacting the TAC Community Road Safety Grants Officer on (03) 5225 6954.