Published date: 26 Feb 2026
Two new short films premiered this week as part of the TAC's Split Second Competition, using bold storytelling and creative perspectives to encourage young Victorians to think twice about risky driving behaviours.
In its seventh year, the annual competition invites aspiring filmmakers and content creators aged 18 to 30 to submit attention grabbing road safety concepts aimed at young drivers, a group that continues to be overrepresented in road trauma.
The 2026 Split Second winners, Stacey Park and Shane Senanayake, who both have Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, were selected for their innovative and impactful approaches to addressing key road safety risks, including low level speeding and seatbelt use.
Stacey’s film, Keep the Tempo, uses the precision and rhythm of Korean drumming as a powerful metaphor for road safety, creatively illustrating how even a slight increase in speed can have significant consequences. Shane’s film, Unusual Behaviours, uses humour and unexpected comparison, likening not wearing a seatbelt to growing up in a town where no one wears pants to challenge flawed logic and reinforce that seatbelts are not optional.
Each winner received a $5,000 cash prize and a $45,000 production budget to bring their concepts to life, with mentorship from The Taboo Group and Truce Films supporting script development and production.
The Split Second Competition empowers young people to be part of the solution by placing their voices at the centre of road safety messaging. By creating work that speaks directly to their peers, the competition aims to spark conversation, shift attitudes and encourage safer decisions behind the wheel.
Quote attributable to Transport Accident Commission CEO, Tracey Slatter:
“We believe young Victorians will relate to Stacey and Shane’s creative and innovative thinking. By sparking conversations and shifting mindsets, their creativity will help drive safer road user behaviours.”
Quote attributable to Split Second Competition winner, Shane Senanayake:
"I’m beyond excited, I entered this competition because I love creative problem-solving, never expecting to actually win. To now be working on an ad of this scale, with such an important purpose, feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity”.
Quote attributable to Split Second Competition winner, Stacey Park:
“I’m incredibly proud to have won the TAC Split Second competition. It offers a unique opportunity to apply my creativity and cultural perspective to shape public safety messaging that genuinely resonates with young people”.
Contacts
Media queries only:
- Email: media@tac.vic.gov.au
- Nicolas McGay 0403 710 889
- Alex White 0419 529 505
- Megan Evans 0403 852 657
Please refer any other enquiries to:
- Online form
- Tel: 1300 654 329
- Email: info@tac.vic.gov.au
