Rocking out for road safety

Start Navigation [Current Level] End Navigation [Current Level]

13 Nov 2015

Rock and roll has partnered with road safety in a new Transport Accident Commission initiative to encourage music lovers to plan a safe way home from gigs.

Some of Australia's hottest acts - including The Rubens, Saskwatch, Dead Letter Circus, Frenzal Rhomb, Harts, Seth Sentry and Kim Churchill - will be rocking the suburbs this summer as part of the Urban Spread series of grassroots concerts, supported by the TAC.                         

A total of 12 concerts will kick off Thursday 19 November at Werribee's Plaza Tavern, followed by shows at Chelsea Heights, Mulgrave and Frankston and Mt Evelyn.

TAC senior road safety manager Samantha Cockfield said the shows were about bringing music closer to where the audience lives and encouraging young people to plan a safe way home.

"By taking these acts out to the suburbs, it is reducing  the need for young people in those areas to travel long distances by car and potentially take risks like drink driving," Ms Cockfield said.

Prior to the events, music fans will be able to access a transport planner on the Urban Spread website to plan ahead and find the best route home using late-night public transport.

Designated drivers will be rewarded with prizes and revellers can check that they are under the limit at free breath-testing stations as part of the TAC's 'Exit Plan'.

"This is all about helping young people to have a good time but we want them to get the message that you need to prepare to party and a big part of that preparation is thinking about how to get home safely," Ms Cockfield said.

The TAC's support of youth-orientated events like Urban Spread and other music festivals aims to reverse a trend of increased risk of road trauma for Victorians aged 18 to 25. This age group accounts for a quarter of all drivers killed on Victorian roads, despite making up only 12 per cent of licenced drivers.

"Drink driving is already totally unacceptable among the vast majority of young Victorians and our presence at events like Urban Spread is about supporting people in the most at-risk age group to get home in one piece," Ms Cockfield said.

The first round of shows will feature The Rubens, Saskwatch, Harts and DJs at Plaza Tavern, Werribee Thursday 19 November; Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights, Friday 20 November; and Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave, Saturday 21 November.

To find out more, visit http://www.urbanspread.com.au

Contacts

Media queries only:

Please refer any other enquiries to: