Drive safely on regional roads

A re-created car crash scene was put on display in central Ballarat last week, as part of a Transport Accident Commission campaign reminding people to drive safely on regional roads this holiday season.

The campaign comes as regional Victoria records its highest number of road fatalities in three years – with 131 people having lost their lives on regional roads so far this year, compared to 110 at the same time last year.

TAC Acting CEO Liz Cairns said authorities were calling on Victorians to play their role in keeping the roads safe this holiday season, with millions expected to travel across the state to visit family and friends.

“Too many people are killed on roads in regional Victoria – we are asking locals and visitors alike to drive safely – slow down, put the phone away, and don’t drink or drug drive,” Ms Cairns said.

The Lucky Ones Get Caught is a thought-provoking campaign, highlighting the tragic reality of dangerous driving and the critical role police play in preventing road trauma.

The campaign’s powerful television advertisement was re-launched in December, showing a young family in a car with the driver intermittently speeding. After narrowly avoiding being caught by police, the driver becomes distracted, loses control and they roll down an embankment.

The activation in Ballarat featured the wreckage of the car from the ad, with onlookers asked to scan a QR code to watch the scene before them rewind until the car is back on the road, where an alternate ending shows the lucky driver being ‘caught’ before disaster strikes.

Those at home can also experience the Press Rewind activation by visiting www.pressrewind.com.au.

“This campaign not only lays bare the devastation caused by speed and inattention on the roads, but reminds people in Ballarat and regional Victoria how important police are in keeping our roads safe,” Ms Cairns said.

“Local police are spending their holidays protecting us and making sure we all get home safe. If you choose to take risks and put people in danger, you will be caught.”

The display was held at Ballarat’s Bridge Mall from 19 to 20 December.

Victorians can expect to see The Lucky Ones Get Caught advertising campaign across TV, billboards, radio and digital platforms throughout the holiday season until the end of January.

The TAC acknowledges that this campaign may be triggering for some people – if you or someone you know has been affected by road trauma and needs support, please contact Amber Community on 1300 367 797 or visit www.ambercommunity.org.au.