Should you be driving home from Rutherglen?

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

02 Jun 2017

Wine lovers sampling the region’s finest drops at Rutherglen’s annual Winery Walkabout have been urged to make sure they get home safely by separating their drinking from driving.

Transport Accident Commission road safety manager Samantha Buckis said while food and wine tasting will be high on everyone’s agenda, planning a safe way home should be the number-one priority.

“It’s important for anyone planning on having a drink at Winery Walkabout to plan a safe way home that doesn’t involve getting behind the wheel and driving.”

“Unfortunately drink driving is still one of the biggest killers on Victorian roads, accounting for about one-in-four driver deaths,” Ms Buckis said.

Visitors to the Rutherglen region are also being encouraged to organise designated drivers before the weekend, as tickets for the hop-on hop-off shuttle buses have already sold out.

“It’s fantastic to see so many people making the most of the shuttle buses this year, they help people get around to the different wineries safely without using their cars,” Ms Buckis said.

Designated drivers will be rewarded with free entry to the event, free tea and coffee all weekend and the chance to win a $200 fuel voucher.

Ms Buckis said five 20ml wine tastings were equivalent to one standard drink, which is enough to affect people’s ability to drive safely.

“It can be hard to track how much alcohol you have consumed at events like these which is why it is so important to organise a designated driver ahead of time.”

“For those people who drive and decide to do some wine tasting, we urge them to check their BAC on the breath testing machines available at the majority of the wineries,” Ms Buckis said.

The festival is expected to draw more than 20,000 visitors to the region over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

“We are all responsible for the choices we make when we get behind the wheel and we hope people attending the Winery Walkabout will make good choices to get home safe,” Ms Buckis said.

Contacts

Media queries only:

Please refer any other enquiries to: