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<\/p>\nTHE State Government is calling on the region\u2019s creative minds to pitch a short film concept that promotes road safety and helps save lives.<\/p>\n
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC), in partnership with Village Cinemas, has launched the fourth annual Split-Second film competition which offers aspiring filmmakers the chance to produce a 45-second film and have it shown on the big screen.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s winner will receive $5000 prize money and work with Sweet Shop production company to bring their film concept to life.<\/p>\n
The winning entry will receive a $70,000 production budget for an advertisement that addresses low-level speeding or drink driving, both which remain significant causes of injuries and deaths on our roads.<\/p>\n
Roads and Roads Safety minister Ben Carroll said he is always looking for new and innovative ways to engage young road users.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know one of the best ways to reach young Victorians is through peer-to-peer conversations; Split Second aims to empower our young people to connect with their peers and send a powerful road safety message,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
So far this year, seven people have died on roads across the City of Greater Geelong, the Borough of Queenscliffe and Surf Coast and Colac-Otway shires.<\/p>\n
At the same time last year, eight people had died on the region\u2019s roads.<\/p>\n
Across the state this year, 126 people have died on Victorian roads, 22 of those were people aged between 18 and 25.<\/p>\n
Young drivers in their first year of driving are almost four times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury crash than more experienced drivers. And the risks are even greater on regional and rural roads.<\/p>\n
Last year, there were 5,413 crashes involving hospitalisation across the state. Of those crashes,1,042 involved people aged between 18 and 25 (see chart below).<\/p>\n
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