Will the TAC's latest campaign save young men's lives? My Blood Oath it will!

30 Jun 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 30th June 2011

Young male drivers who take risks on the roads are the target of the latest Transport Accident Commission (TAC) campaign, My Blood Oath.

Fronted by two of the AFL's toughest personalities, coaching twins Brad and Chris Scott, My Blood Oath reminds young men that "Your mate's life is in your hands" and pushes the road safety message through football clubs at all levels.

The campaign is supported by AFL Victoria and is the TAC's largest ever social media venture.

My Blood Oath aims to engage young people through the campaign Facebook page, www.facebook.com/mybloodoath and local football clubs. A television advertisement, featuring the Scott brothers, will air for the first time today and run throughout July.

Young men are urged to get involved in the campaign by visiting the Facebook page, nominating their footy club, making an oath to drive safely, and sharing that oath with their family and friends.

Those who take an oath will have the chance to win money for their football club with weekly prizes of $5,000 and a grand prize of $30,000 on offer for both the country and metropolitan clubs who make the most oaths online, thereby spreading the road safety message further.

TAC Chief Executive Officer, Janet Dore, said taking an oath empowers young people to speak up.

"The TAC can always make ads but we feel that it is important for young people to hear these messages from their peers.

"Every year we see far too many young Victorians killed on our roads and this campaign aims to prevent such tragedies," Ms Dore said.

"My Blood Oath will capture the attention of young men through something we know many of them love and value � their footy team.

"We want every young man in Victoria to visit this Facebook page, make an oath to drive safely and more importantly, follow through on their promise."

Road trauma remains the single biggest killer of young people aged 18 to 25 in Australia and worldwide. Twenty-eight men aged 18-25 have died on Victorian roads so far this year.

Overall, male fatalities increased to 220 in 2010 from 196 in 2009 � the equivalent of about 10 country footy teams.

"We know that the major factors in crashes involving young people are inexperience, deliberate risk taking and overconfidence," Ms Dore said.

"My Blood Oath puts the onus back on young drivers to make a promise to their mates that they'll look after themselves and each other � both on the footy field and on the road."

To enter, or for more details, visit www.facebook.com/mybloodoath 

For further information please contact Sarah Henderson on 0429 294 262.