Speed Officially Renamed

18 Feb 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 18 February, 2011

The Victorian Mallee township of Speed has been officially renamed SpeedKills.

At 11.30am today the town's new signs were unveiled in a ceremony at SpeedKills, attended by locals who featured in the campaign, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner for Road and Regional Policing, Kieran Walshe and representatives from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

Up to 200 campaign supporters from the surrounding district also attended.

This 'SpeedKills' signs will now be installed at the north and south ends of town for one month.

Local farmer, Phil Down, was also renamed today after he agreed to change his name to Phil 'Slow' Down for one month.

The name-change brings to life the Rename Speed road safety campaign which has gained more than 32,000 supporters online as well as extensive media coverage from local, national and international sources.

The campaign, which aims to reduce rural road trauma and increase awareness of the dangers associated with speeding, was launched on 14 January. 

Initially it involved the people of Speed, via their television commercial, calling for 10,000 people to visit their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/speedkills and show their support by clicking on the 'like' symbol.

That target was reached within 24 hours and within one week 20,000 'likes' had been recorded.
The current total stands at 32, 264.

At today's ceremony the TAC donated $20,000 to the Speed Lions Club to express their gratitude for the town's involvement in and commitment to the campaign.

Speaking at the ceremony, TAC Head of Community Relations, Phil Reed, thanked the local people of SpeedKills for their involvement in the campaign.

"There is no doubt this campaign will help us reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries suffered on our roads – every little bit makes a difference," Mr Reed said.

"While we have had some fun working on this campaign, we are sending a very serious message to the wider community.

"Too many people die and are seriously injured on our roads, and in particular in rural and regional Victoria.

"We're confident this campaign has succeeded at sending a message to all drivers about how dangerous speeding can be, and how socially unacceptable it is to speed on country roads."

Photos from the ceremony will be available later today. For more information contact the TAC's Sarah Henderson on 0429 294 262.