TAC campaigns target social media users this summer

18 Dec 2012

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is targeting fans of Victoria's favourite sports teams to spread road safety messages via social media this summer.

The TAC is teaming up with Twenty20 Big Bash League teams and Melbourne Victory, to connect online with young people most at risk of being seriously injured or killed on Victorian roads.

In a first for Victoria, the TAC is launching an online campaign today with the T20 cricket teams, Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades, which will allow people to create their own road safety messages for friends and family.

The unique #Homesafely campaign allows people to submit a personalised message at the www.homesafely.com.au website and choose to have it displayed on a billboard or broadcast on Fox FM. Personalised messages can also be shared on Twitter with #Homesafely and @TACHomesafely.

Launching the initiative with the Stars and Renegades today, TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said partnering with Victorian sports teams in online initiatives was one way TAC could engage with an audience that could be hard to reach.

"We know that there is no one, single thing that will get the road safety message through to all young people," Ms Dore said.

"That's why it's important to use a range of media channels to spread the road safety message.

"More than 2000 young people between 18 and 25 are seriously injured on our roads each year, and this figure is far too high," Ms Dore said.

The TAC will again be running its Facebook competitions this summer, giving social media users the chance to win prizes by sharing road safety messages with friends.

T20 fans have the chance to meet cricket greats, with a Facebook competition asking people to get their mates to take an oath to avoid speeding. Entrants can form teams with their mates, come up with a team name and enter the competition to win tickets and meet Sir Viv Richards and Muttiah Muralitharan. The competition is on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyBloodOath.

Soccer fans can also jump on Facebook for the chance to win a training session with Melbourne Victory players, by sharing a new video showcasing  players in a slow-motion video promoting the message 'Slow down and stay in control'. This competition starts in early January, keep your eye on http://www.facebook.com/gomvfc.