The Party’s Over for risk-taking motorists as TAC and police ramp up for summer

16 Dec 2016

The party is over for motorists who take risks over the festive season, with Victoria Police patrolling the state’s roads in record numbers this summer.

The Transport Accident Commission today launched a remake of its well-known ‘The Party’s Over’ campaign, coinciding with the start of Victoria Police Operation Roadwise.

The campaign reminds motorists that Victoria Police will be out in large numbers across Victoria this summer, targeting risky driving behaviours including speed, distraction and drink and drug driving.

TAC CEO Joe Calafiore said, while the vast majority of Victorians were safe, responsible drivers, everyone needed to understand the consequences of taking risks.

“If you speed, text at the wheel or drink drive, a fine and a loss of licence is the best thing that can happen to you,” Mr Calafiore said.

“The small number of people who still engage in these behaviours are responsible for the majority of deaths on our roads and they need to understand that they will be caught because the alternative is far worse.”

‘The Party’s Over’ works alongside the ‘Knocking on Doors’  videos on social media, a TAC initiative raising awareness of increased enforcement in regional Victoria. It has gained more than a million views online since its launch last month.

“We know that increasing enforcement is the most immediate way to make a significant impact on road deaths and that impact is amplified when it is accompanied by public education,” Mr Calafiore said.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said, as always, Victoria Police would be out in force to keep the roads safe, with a focus on speed, alcohol and drug checks.

“The community would expect nothing less, but police alone can’t keep our roads safe. It’s a shared responsibility for all who use the road,” he said.

A/C Fryer reminded Victorians that every two hours someone is seriously injured and every day and a half someone is killed on Victorian roads.

“Please have a discussion with your loved ones and talk about safe driving; no distractions, no fatigue,  complying with the road rules and what we often take for granted, actually getting home safe.

“Your loved ones lives might depend on it.”