Damage of drink driving discussed during Festival Roadshow

THE Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is once again teaming up with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) Roadshow across regional Victoria this year, with the aim of delivering important drink driving messages to audiences.

The Roadshow stops off in Bendigo at Ulumbarra Theatre on Friday 30 May and will be hosted by Sydney comic Marcel Blanch-de Wilt.

Also on the line up are Alexandra Hudson, Bronwyn Kuss, Con Coutis and Matt Stewart.

The TAC initiative tackles the rules of thumb many people refer to when deciding whether to drive after drinking alcohol – such as the speed at which they drink, how many standard drinks per hour, if they’ve had enough water, how much they’ve eaten, and even their body size.

In addition to myth-busting drink coasters at Roadshow venues, an online vox pop series featuring Festival comedians will encourage audiences to plan ahead and make arrangements to get home safely.

TAC CEO Tracey Slatter said she was proud to continue the partnership with the MICF in providing an opportunity to engage directly with regional Victorians.

“We’re working to educate road-users about the dangers of drink driving and ultimately create a culture in Victoria that prioritises safety on our roads,” she said.

“The message is simple – if you’re drinking, don’t drive. Plan ahead and arrange a safe alternative way of getting home.”

Drink driving remains a major factor in Victorian road trauma with around one-in-five drivers and riders killed being over the legal limit.

Research shows only small increments in alcohol consumption can result in significant impairment, including a weakened ability to judge distances and moving lights, a decrease in reaction times and an increase in risk taking.

Impairment is detectable from 0.02 BAC and drivers with a 0.05 BAC have double the crash risk of a sober driver.

Tickets to the Bendigo leg of the Roadshow can be purchased on the Gotix website.