Road Safety Display Launched Today

28 Oct 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 28 OCTOBER 2011

The horrific and permanent consequences of road trauma will be in full view today when a safety display opens at City Square.

Supported by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), the City of Melbourne display will run across the weekend and feature crashed cars and motorcycles and a range of interactive activities highlighting the reality of road trauma and encouraging safer driver behaviour.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said he hoped the display would act as a reality check to all motorists, particularly young people who continue to be overrepresented in the road toll.

"Road trauma remains the single biggest killer of young people. The display will be visually confronting and presents a striking way to spread the road safety message and get people to stop and think about the consequences of their choices," the Lord Mayor said.

"We are holding this display at a time when the road toll traditionally starts to climb and when we know that a lot of people will be in the city.

"Last October 36 people died on Victoria's roads and over the past three years Victoria's road toll has experienced a significant increase during October.

"As young people head out for a drink with mates over the weekend or head into the city after a day at the races, I encourage them to come and stand at the display for five minutes and witness the stark reality of road trauma."

On Friday morning, the SES Road Rescue Team will use the 'Jaws of Life' in a demonstration to re-enact a crash scene.

The TAC youth bus Vanessa will be on site all weekend to offer young people a place to chill out, grab a free water bottle and watch youth-focused road safety films made by young people. Vanessa will also provide free breath testing to anyone who might be unsure if they're ok to drive home and a range of activities and giveaways will be on offer throughout the weekend.

Families who have lost loved ones in road crashes have been involved in creating the display, telling their stories of grief in a bid to prevent others from suffering the same loss they have.

Shane and Helen Hopcraft helped to create a feature display about their son Brendan who was killed in a motorcycle crash near their home in Wantirna South in April last year. A letter Helen wrote to Brendan almost 12 months after his death is displayed. An excerpt from the letter details the ongoing grief Helen and her family is dealing with.

While the road toll is tracking well below last year's figure, the Lord Mayor said it was important the community did not become complacent.

The road safety display opened at 8am on Friday 28 October and will close at 5pm Sunday 30 October.