TAC urges racegoers to plan ahead for a safe Warrnambool Carnival

Published date: 30 Apr 2018

The Transport Accident Commission will be trackside and around town throughout the Warrnambool Carnival this week to remind racegoers that the safest bet is to separate drinking from driving.

With 35,000 people expected across three days of racing, the TAC will be in Warrnambool before and during the carnival to talk about how people can get to and from the event if they are planning to have a drink.

TAC Lead Director Road Safety Samantha Cockfield said planning a safe way home should be racegoers’ number-one priority if their race day plan involves drinking alcohol.

“The Warrnambool Carnival is one of the biggest events on the country racing calendar and we want to see everyone cap off a great event by getting home safely to their loved ones.

“Any level of alcohol in a person’s system impairs their judgment and their ability to drive safely, so the safest approach is to completely separate drinking from driving,” Ms Cockfield said.

On Monday, TAC staff be providing local cafes with ‘plan ahead’ coffee cups and speaking with patrons about getting home safely from the races, including how to book a seat on the free shuttle bus operating during the carnival.

At Warrnambool Racecourse throughout the carnival, the TAC’s Towards Zero safe travel zone will provide information on getting home safely, including where to catch buses and taxis. The TAC will also have a presence in the ladies marquee on Wednesday and the colts and fillies marquee on Thursday.

The TAC is also reminding racegoers that, under tough new drink driving penalties that apply in Victoria from today:

first-time drink drivers who record a blood alcohol reading between .05 and .069 will lose their licences for a minimum of three months; and
all drink drivers will now face mandatory alcohol interlocks fitted to their vehicles for a minimum of six months.

For more information on Victoria’s new drink and drug driving penalties click here.