Dangers of drink driving take centre stage on regional tour

Published date: 04 May 2022

The TAC has partnered with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) Roadshow to educate regional Victorians on the dangers of drink driving, and help people get home safely from the shows.

The partnership will see road safety take centre stage at 27 shows across central and north eastern Victoria, the south west, and Gippsland.

The roadshow kicked off in the first week of May after a tragic start to the year on Victorian roads, with 86 lives lost – 52 of those being in regional areas.

TAC CEO Joe Calafiore said the figures were concerning and he hoped the partnership would draw more focus to road safety in regional areas.

“Too many people are killed on roads in regional areas, so we are here to highlight how locals can keep themselves and others safe on the roads.”

The TAC is using its presence at the events to encourage attendees to separate drinking alcohol from driving altogether, promoting its message ‘Drinking. Driving. They’re Better Apart.’

With fewer public transport options available in regional towns, driving is a common option when travelling to and from events. The best way to ensure people get home safely is to nominate a driver if they choose to drink or to stick with non-alcoholic beverage options to ensure they can drive safely for everyone.

Drink driving is a major factor in Victorian road trauma and while the majority of people are doing the right thing, close to 1 in 5 drivers and riders killed on Victorian roads are over the legal limit.

Mr Calafiore said drivers should understand that the easiest and safest way to avoid the risks, is to completely separate drinking from driving.

“If you plan on drinking, then you should plan a safe way home that doesn’t involve driving.”

Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Ben Carroll said it was a timely reminder of the dangers associated with drink driving, as regional road deaths continued to climb.

“Driving down road trauma will take all of us doing the right thing every time we hit the road - stay focused when you're behind the wheel, wear a seatbelt and don't take reckless risks by speeding or drink driving.

“The TAC is renowned for using its standing in the community to engage with Victorians on key road safety issues, and this partnership is a great way to remind local people about the dangers of drink driving and promote road safety.”

The TAC will have a significant presence at key roadshow events in Bendigo (2 May), Ballarat (12 May), Shepparton (18 May), Horsham (31 May), and Traralgon (30 June).

Other locations on the tour are Bayswater, Warburton, Ringwood, Frankston, Mildura, Swan Hill, Mansfield, Kyneton, Upwey, Packenham, Echuca, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Dandenong, Colac, Hamilton, Dunkeld, Warrnambool, Portland, Wonthaggi, Sale, and Bairnsdale.

Follow this link to the Melbourne Comedy Festival website to see locations and times for regional shows.