TAC Cup Falcons team up with Geelong's Andrew Mackie to talk road safety

30 Apr 2013

Media Release: 30 April 2013

Geelong Falcons players have had the perfect mentoring session ahead of this Saturday's hitout against the Northern Knights, their first game at Simonds Stadium in the 2013 TAC Cup.

Cats' star Andrew Mackie was on hand to show the Falcons' Alex Hickey, James Tsitas and Jye Cross around the ground, sharing stories of infinite success there since Geelong's breakthrough AFL premiership in 2007.

Three-time premiership player Mackie said getting practice behind the wheel was as important to driving as training is to producing results on the footy field.

"I know my time as a learner driver helped me prepare for driving on the roads, so it's crucial the TAC Cup players and all other L-platers get their 120 hours up," Mackie said.

"It was great to show James, Alex and Jye around Simonds Stadium, ahead of their first home and away game here for 2013 on Saturday," he said.

TAC Road Safety Major Projects Manager Liz Waller said the TAC is proud of its sponsorship of the Under-18 competition spanning more than two decades, one of the longest commitments of its kind in Australia.

"In 1991, the year before our partnership with this competition began, more than 500 people died on Victorian roads," Ms Waller said.

"Over time, we have worked to reduce this figure dramatically, to be fewer than 300. But young people remain over-represented in the road toll, which is of great concern.

"The TAC is working with the TAC Cup competition to deliver the message that speed hurts, a reminder to this group of young men that speed is one of the biggest killers on our roads."

Newly released TAC data has revealed 20-29 year-olds as being by far the most involved in no-fault accident claims in Victoria (3,769 in 2011/12).

"This reinforces the need for the newest drivers on our roads to be as best prepared for this period of their lives as possible," Ms Waller said.

"The TAC has been at the forefront of promoting the need for learner drivers to log at least 120 hours of driving practice prior to the Graduated Licensing System's (GLS) release in 2007.

"As a result, there has been a significant reduction in casualty crashes of first-year drivers," Ms Waller said.

Reducing fatalities and injuries amoung young drivers is a priority action in Victoria's new 10-year Road Safety Strategy. To view the Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan visit roadsafety.vic.gov.au.

For further information please contact the TAC's Nick Price on 5225 7738 and 0408 523 772.

Captions photographs from top to bottom:

Photo 1: (L to R) Alex Hickey, James Tsitas and Jye Cross in the Cats' gym.

Photo 2: Andrew Mackie speaking with Falcons Jye Cross and co-captains James Tsitas and Alex Hickey.

Photo 3: Andrew Mackie watches on as the Falcons get used to Simonds Stadium.