Kids 'rap' to a new tune for road safety

22 May 2003

Media Release - 22 May 2003

The Minister for the TAC, Rob Hulls, will today launch a new public education campaign to teach children and parents about road safety.

The new TAC and VicRoads campaign features an animated advertisement starring ThingleToodle, a road safety character. The advertisement, set to a rap song, reminds parents and children that they need to hold hands when crossing the road.

Mr Hulls said that while the fun and upbeat campaign had been designed to appeal to children, it carried a strong message about the need for adults to take primary responsibility for keeping children safe on and around the roads.

"Young children are vulnerable in traffic, with road accidents among the major causes of deaths and injuries of pre-school aged children," Mr Hulls said.

"No one is born knowing how to use the road system. Children must be taught the skills they will need to be safe, independent road-users, now and in the future.

"Children need appropriate, practical training that involves real life experiences in real road and traffic environments, under the supervision of an adult.

"Children copy their mums and dads, so it's important that parents act as appropriate role models when using the road system."

Each year in Victoria, on average, seven children aged under six years are killed and 98 are seriously injured in road crashes.

About three young children are killed each year by accidents in driveways – and even more are injured.

The number of children killed or injured in road crashes increases as they get older and have more exposure to traffic. Across all age groups, boys are more vulnerable.

"The loss of life and injury is unacceptable and can be reduced by ensuring that young children develop the important skills required to be safer when on, or near the road," Mr Hulls said.

The new campaign forms part of the VicRoads Starting Out Safely resource and will screen from tonight.

The road toll currently stands at 146, down from 166 at the same time last year, a decrease of 12%.

Further information

Joel Deane
0417 139 441