Reminder that if we all get home safely, everyone wins

Published date: 24 Oct 2023

A new Transport Accident Commission road safety campaign is appealing to country Victorian race goers to plan ahead and separate drinking from driving this racing season.

The TAC has launched the campaign, “Ready”, as part of its long-standing partnership with Country Racing Victoria, aiming to highlight the risks associated with driving to and from races when alcohol is involved.

While building excitement for the upcoming Country Cup season, the campaign reminds racegoers that they are only truly ‘ready’ once they have made plans to get home safely at the end of the day.

The new campaign comes as the number of fatalities on Victorian roads so far this year sits at 232 – with 134 of those being in regional areas.

With close to 1-in-5 drivers and riders killed on the state’s roads being over the legal limit, TAC CEO Tracey Slatter is urging racegoers to do their part in keeping the roads safe by separating drinking and driving altogether.

“Country Cups are the social event of the year in many regional Victorian towns – by ensuring we’ve planned a safe way home at the end of the day, we can guarantee it’s a day to remember for all the right reasons.”

“The TAC is working closely with Country Racing Victoria to ensure there are enough safe transport options available for racegoers across the state. There’s no excuse – if you drink, don’t drive,” Ms Slatter said.

A new commercial is central to the new campaign, featuring a cast of familiar race-day characters, including a jockey, bartender and groundskeeper, to highlight the various transport options available to those attending regional events – such as taxis, rideshares and shuttle buses.

The advertisement also provides a reminder that police will be out to stop drink drivers, and hints at the tragic outcomes that can result from drink driving from the perspective of Ambulance Victoria and VICSES.

Country Racing Victoria Chairman Chas Armytage said the organisation was delighted to continue its long and successful partnership with the TAC.

“It’s vital for our country racing clubs to provide responsible and educational messaging in conjunction with the TAC at many of our country cups.”

“Additionally, the TAC Safe Travel Grant funding allows our clubs to provide much needed transport options for our patrons in areas that have little to no public or ride share options. With the return of full crowds this spring, this service will be in high demand,” Mr Armytage said.

The campaign will be prominent on social media in the run-up to country race events across Victoria, and then again via digital displays and race book advertising at all 67 Country Cups.

In an effort to further engage with racegoers on safe transport options, the TAC will have a physical presence at more than 20 Country Cups.

For more information on the campaign, follow this link to the TAC website.