Soccer Coppers Kick Home 'Wipe Off 5' Message

14 Sep 2010

MEDIA RELEASE: 14 September 2010

Melbourne Victory and Victoria Police will hit the pitch at AAMI Park this morning to launch the Transport Accident Commission's latest advertisement warning of the dangers of low-level speeding.

'On the Team', an ad featuring Victoria Police soccer players honing their skills against Melbourne Victory stars, was filmed in Williamstown and forms part of the TAC's 'Wipe Off 5' speed campaign.

'Wipe off 5' has been the cornerstone of the TAC speeding campaign for the past nine years.    In that time, self reported speeding has reduced from 25% (2001) to 13% (2010).

TAC Head of Community Relations, Phil Reed, said making the ad with Melbourne Victory helped the TAC promote road safety to soccer fans, particularly young male drivers.

"We know that young men aged 18 to 29 are over-represented in the road toll," Mr Reed said.

"Already in 2010, 55 men aged between 18 and 29 have died on our roads, representing more than a quarter of the road toll to date."

"Many young men will see our new road safety advertisement screened at games throughout the remainder of the 2010/2011 A-League season."

Mr Reed said the economic cost to Victoria of speed-related serious crashes is estimated to be in excess of $1 billion.

He said Victoria Police's involvement in the ad would remind viewers that if you act up on the roads, you will get caught.

"The TAC and Victoria Police have proven that combining public education and enforcement has been successful in creating significant changes in driver behavior."

"We hope this advertisement will remind drivers to keep safe on our roads, but that road rules will be enforced if you are caught speeding."

The advertisement will air for the first time on the big screen at Melbourne Victory's home game at AAMI park tomorrow.

For further information please contact: Sarah Campbell ph 5225 6464 or 0429 294 262.