TAC extends partnership to keep regional racegoers safe

02 May 2013

Media Release: Thursday 2 May 2013

An important racing partnership will be continued following the announcement by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) of an extension to its arrangement with Country Racing Victoria.

The announcement was made on the final day of the famous Warrnambool May Carnival by the Premier of Victoria and Minister for Racing Denis Napthine.

"Through its $90,000 annual partnership with Country Racing Victoria (CRV), the TAC has a presence at 30 regional race events each season, including the Warrnambool May Carnival," Dr Napthine said.

"The partnership includes prominent signage on and around the racecourse as well as offers of free breath-tests, free coffee and water, and safe driving advice.

"The races are a highlight on the calendar of many rural and regional communities and an important social get-together. They also make a significant contribution to Victoria's $15.9 billion tourism industry with locals and visitors alike supporting regional businesses.

"The Victorian Coalition Government, through partnerships like this between the TAC and Country Racing Victoria, wants to encourage people to be safe and responsible while also enjoying themselves at these unique country Victorian racing events," Dr Napthine said.

Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said the TAC campaign would be prominent across country towns and racecourses.

"The campaign message is 'Don't Bet on Avoiding a Breath Test' and will be seen on local TV, in local newspapers, in racebooks, on signage at the track, and around the towns of major country race meets," Mr Rich-Phillips said.

The raceday locations have been selected based on the fatal and serious injury collision rates across regional Victoria.

The partnership also allows the TAC to support designated driver programs, work with local communities to provide shuttle bus services and educate the public about standard drink sizes and blood alcohol levels.

Country Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer Scott Whiteman welcomed the announcement.

"Country Racing Victoria are delighted to be continuing our partnership with the TAC for a further 12 months. The partnership started 8 years ago and has now grown to include 30 individual race meetings spread across country Victoria," Mr Whiteman said.

"Country racing is all about a great day out but importantly customers need to enjoy the day responsibly. With the team from the TAC on course we can ensure that the drink drive message is clearly understood."

Across all country racing, the TAC conducts approximately 13,500 breath tests at events with a total attendance of close to 200,000 people.

Drink driving remains one of the biggest killers on Victorian roads, with 25 per cent of all drivers or riders killed having a blood alcohol limit over 0.05.

Reducing road trauma from drink driving, through a focus on education, is a priority action in the Coalition Government's new 10-year Road Safety Strategy. To view the Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan visit www.roadsafety.vic.gov.au.

Please see below for a list of supported country racing events and photographs.

TAC Country Racing Events for 2013/14 season September to June   

                  

For more information call the TACS's Nick Price on 5225 7738 and 0408 523 772. 

Captions for images below:
Premier Denis Napthine with TAC CEO Janet Dore.
TAC breath testing team member with a Warrnambool race goer.