Speed Renamed in Just Two Weeks

04 Feb 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 4 February 2011

An Australian-first road safety campaign will come to life in two weeks when the township of Speed in Victoria's Mallee district will be renamed SpeedKills. 

After gaining a supporter base of more than 30,000 people on their Facebook page, the local people of Speed will take part in an official renaming ceremony at the town's recreation reserve on Friday, 18 February.

The Rename Speed campaign, which aims to reduce rural road trauma and increase awareness of the dangers associated with speeding, has proven popular amongst Victorians while attracting national and international attention.

One month ago the people of Speed called on all motorists, via www.facebook.com/speedkills, to support their campaign by 'liking' them on Facebook.

If 10,000 'likes' were recorded they would change their town's name to SpeedKills and the TAC would donate $10,000 to their local Lions Club.

Within 24 hours of launching more than 10,000 people had supported the campaign online, and within six days that number reached 20,000.

After recording the 20,000th 'like' the TAC agreed to double their donation and local farmer, Phil Down, promised to change his name to Phil 'Slow' Down for one month.

There are now more than 31,000 supporters.

TAC Head of Community Relations, Phil Reed, said the unique campaign has been successful in initiating discussion about a serious road safety issue and drawn young people's attention to the risks associated with speeding.

"The people of Speed and the TAC have been overwhelmed by the success of this campaign and we thank all of the 30,000-plus people who have supported it," Mr Reed said.

More than a quarter of all of the campaign's online supporters have been males aged 13 to 35.

"Renaming this town has created a unique way for us to engage with young people who are more at risk of death on our roads and more likely to speed."

"The campaign might seem light-hearted, but it has a serious message � the number of deaths on rural roads last year increased and there are too many Victorians who think it's ok to speed."

Recently released TAC data showed that one in four Victorians consider driving 10 km over the speed limit in a 100km zone to be socially acceptable.

Following the renaming ceremony, Speed will be known as SpeedKills and Phil Down will be known as Phil "Slow" Down for one month, ending on Friday, 18 March.

For more information contact the TAC's Sarah Henderson on 0429 294 262.