Vanessa pops in at Deakin open day

THE Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Vanessa fleet turned up to a Deakin Waurn Ponds Open Day on Sunday to engage with students about road safety as they plan their future.

The Vanessa fleet, including Big V, Mini V and Bute, is rolling into the open days throughout August to talk with prospective students about being safe on the roads.

Vanessa is the youth arm of the TAC, aiming to make the current generation of young drivers more aware of how they can keep themselves and their mates safe on the roads.

At Deakin, people were able to scroll through Vanessa’s car finder app to decide if they should to swipe right or left when searching for the safest car for them.

TAC Engagement Senior Manager Meg Jacobs said young people didn’t have to compromise safety for affordability when they were searching for their first car.

“Victoria’s young drivers are some of the most vulnerable people on our roads so it makes sense that they do their research to ensure they’re buying the safest car they can,” Ms Jacobs said.

“We know that money plays a large part in what sort of vehicle young people choose as their first car but there are cars with high safety ratings available for under $3,000,” she said.

“Getting everyone in safer cars will help us in our Towards Zero plan, where no one dies or is seriously injured on our roads.”

To find out more about Vanessa, visit the Vanessa Facebook page or vanessabus.com.au and to start looking for your next safe car visit howsafeisyourfirstcar.com.au.