What projects are funded?

Projects must address road safety issues in your local community. They should also be based on sound research and road safety principles.

Please note that there are specific guidelines pertaining to the implementation of breathalyser projects, community road safety strategy projects, and the usage of Variable Messaging Signs (VMS). These guidelines can be viewed on the Application Form and Closing Dates page and are included in the Community Road Safety Grant's main guidelines.

Community focused programs

'Community' has different meanings for different people. In this program, the term refers to a group of people with a common interest or identity. There are many different communities in Victoria, and people can belong to more than one. They may be based on:

  • geographical boundaries (eg region, city, suburb, neighbourhood)
  • ethnicity
  • religion
  • age (eg the elderly, children)
  • gender
  • common interests (eg sport, politics, driving)
  • occupation or profession (eg medical, social services, forestry, transport)
  • workplaces (eg schools, councils, building sites).

There will be many other communities in your local area.

Safety focused programs

Victoria is recognised internationally as a leader in developing and implementing successful road safety projects in areas such as impaired driving (alcohol and drugs), inattentive driving (drowsiness and distraction), young drivers, speeding and vehicle safety. These issues are addressed in Victoria's road safety strategy through initiatives that integrate enforcement and public education targeted to specific groups in our community.

Many communities already contribute to road safety. This is because they are ideally placed to understand local issues and are well connected to particular groups that are most affected. Victoria's road safety strategy is based on the Safe System approach and relies on research, sound principles and detailed evaluation of new programs.
Road safety programs are usually funded only if there are sound reasons to believe they will reduce the risk of crash involvement.

The Community Road Safety Grants Program also focuses on these criteria, to ensure it has a positive effect on community road safety. Examples of successful community-based road safety programs that have used these guiding principles include initiatives targeting drink driving, speeding and fatigue, and improving the safety of specific groups such as older road users, cyclists or children.

Road safety programs are evaluated periodically to understand the elements contributing to the best possible community road safety benefits. These evaluations inform additional guidelines for specific road safety issues to assist applicants achieve the best outcomes possible from their road safety projects. Project-specific guidelines have been developed for:

  • Breathalyser Projects;
  • Community Road Safety Strategy Projects;
  • Variable Messaging Sign (VMS) Projects.

Successful projects from previous rounds, project-specific guidelines and case studies on the types of projects that could be eligible for funding from the Community Road Safety Grants Program are all available online at www.tac.vic.gov.au/crsg.

Some projects will not be funded because there are existing good practice programs already available targeting the issue or because the evidence and research available does not support the approach. Projects that won't be funded include:

  • Developing road safety programs that the TAC and/or their road safety partners have already developed based on best-practice.
  • Those focusing on driver training and education. Research shows that these types of programs
    can contribute to over-confidence and higher levels of risk taking by some young drivers. There is more information about novice driver programs in Appendix 3 of the CRSG Guidelines.
  • One-day expos or road safety shows. There is no research evidence to suggest these one off programs have any influence on changing attitudes and behaviours or reducing road trauma. Often these types of programs are not consistent with sound educational principles.
  • Road engineering, signage, or traffic law enforcement programs. Although an important part of  Victoria's road safety strategy, there are other funding sources available for these types of programs, such as the Local Government Grants Program.
  • Advertising campaigns. Public education campaigns play an important part in improving road safety outcomes. Because public education is executed through Victoria's road safety strategy, they cannot be funded through the Community Road Safety Grants Program. Although advertising costs are not funded through the Community Road Safety Grants Program, applicants are encouraged to use suburban or regional media as part of a local road safety program.

Applications can be made for community projects that:

  • rely on evidence-based research or principles, which suggests it has potential to succeed
  • are adaptable to specific local community needs
  • identify specific target groups and specific road safety objectives
  • are sustainable in the longer term
  • are delivered by organisations/providers in a community context
  • could be adopted by communities throughout Victoria and adapted if necessary
  • are culturally inclusive
  • can be evaluated.