New road safety campaign to target young men

20 Mar 2012

MEDIA RELEASE: Tuesday 20 March 2012

Premier Ted Baillieu today joined forces with Essendon footballer Dustin Fletcher to launch a new campaign designed to encourage young men to look after their mates and stay safe on the roads.

The campaign will see Victoria's under 18 Australian rules competition, the TAC Cup, rebranded in its 21st year to 'Speed Hurts'.
"Young people in their first year of driving are about three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than more experienced drivers," Mr Baillieu said.

"The rebranding of the TAC Cup is an opportunity to send a message to young male drivers about the importance of looking after your mates and staying safe on the roads.

"Every year about 75 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 are killed on Victorian roads, 60 of them men," Mr Baillieu said.
New road safety advertisements will also go to air this week featuring AFL commentary great Denis Commetti.

TAC CEO Janet Dore said speed remained one of the biggest killers on Victorian roads, with about 30 per cent of all fatal collisions having speed as a major contributing factor.

"Following today's launch, the TAC together with AFL Victoria, will run community events in each of the TAC Cup regions where clubs can celebrate their history, and players and parents can sign a mural showing their commitment to slowing down on the roads," Ms Dore said.

"By giving young people a better road safety education, the TAC Cup makes a difference to the number of young people killed and seriously injured on our roads."

AFL Victoria general manager Grant Williams said the 21st year of the competition is a great time to highlight the long lasting partnership between the TAC and AFL Victoria.

"It is fantastic to have such a supportive partner in the TAC who have been involved with the competition since its inception in 1992," Mr Williams said.

"The partnership supports a broader program that aims to develop and educate young players and prepare them for life on and off the field." 

"We need to keep highlighting the important issue of road safety and the AFL Victoria TAC Cup competition is one of the ways we can keep it at the forefront of young Victorians minds."

To view the TAC's new road safety advertisements visit http://www.youtube.com/TACVictoria