Road safety film competition tackles speed and seatbelts

Published date: 23 Oct 2025

The TAC is offering young Victorians the chance to make a life-saving difference, with its Split Second Competition returning to inspire young people to play a role in reducing road trauma.

In its seventh year, the initiative is designed to engage young creatives aged 18-30, calling for compelling short films that capture the devastating consequences of a split-second decision on the roads.

The competition is open to filmmakers and content creators, with two winning entries each receiving a $5,000 cash prize, while a budget of $45,000 is allocated to produce each winning film. The two winners will also receive mentorship from Truce Films and creative agency TABOO.

Split Second Competition entrants are asked to focus their entries on one of two risky behaviours: low-level speeding or not wearing a seatbelt – both behaviours that affect young road users.

Speeding – a new theme for this year – is a major factor contributing to trauma on Victorian roads, even at lower levels. Approximately 25 per cent of deaths and serious injuries on our roads involve people travelling 1-10 km/h over the limit. TAC research shows that people aged 18-25 are most likely to exceed the speed limit by 10km/h.

Seatbelts are a focus of the competition for the second consecutive year, with road trauma data showing around a quarter of young drivers and passengers killed on the roads in the past decade were not wearing a seatbelt.

For the second year, one of the winners will be selected from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background, ensuring road safety messages resonate across Victoria’s multicultural communities.

Aspiring filmmakers and emerging creatives who wants to make a difference to the lives of young Victorians, are encouraged to visit tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/split-second. Competition entries close at 11.59pm, 9 November.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne

“We are proud to again support the TAC’s Split Second Competition, which has shown us that through the power of creativity young Victorians can influence attitudes and behaviours among their peers.”

Quotes attributable to TAC Chief Executive Officer, Tracey Slatter

“By engaging young filmmakers and content creators, we’re inviting fresh, authentic perspectives that can shift attitudes and save lives. We’re especially proud to continue highlighting voices of multicultural creatives, ensuring our messages reach and reflect the diversity of young Victorians.”

Quotes attributable to 2024 Split Second Competition winner, Olivia Hartanto

“Split Second gave me the chance to tell a story that felt personal and powerful. It was a huge step forward in my creative journey - and knowing it could help save lives made it even more meaningful.”

Quotes attributable to 2024 Split Second Competition winner, Rhys Delios-Callanan

“The competition was a great experience. It challenged me to think differently, work with industry mentors, and create something that really mattered. It’s opened doors I never expected.”