Three young Victorians awarded Green Man Grants

16 May 2017

Three new road safety campaigns designed by young Victorians will be created under a new program to reduce the number of young lives lost on the state’s roads.

The Transport Accident Commission’s Green Man Grants program supports young people aged 18 to 25 to create and deliver a road safety campaign for their peers, with grants of up to $50,000.

TAC road safety manager Samantha Buckis today congratulated the grant recipients on their innovative ideas to help reduce road trauma.

“Green Man Grants have been awarded to young Victorians who are committed to talking to their peers about how to be safer on the roads,” Ms Buckis said.

“These grants give young Victorians the opportunity to have conversations about road safety and help reduce road trauma within their communities.”

The three new campaigns are:

You wouldn’t leave a mate: A series of short videos to be produced and published on social media, encouraging young people to look out for their mates and keep each other safe on the roads.

Smash map: A new website featuring interactive maps with real-time crash data to explain how safer roads infrastructure and vehicle technology can help reduce road trauma and change the outcomes of crashes.

Driving us mindless: A sculptural piece depicting a car with arms and legs will visit schools and universities to remind students that human evolution hasn’t kept pace with cars and transport technology.

Each grant recipient will be partnered with an industry mentor as they further develop and deliver their idea. They will also be awarded a personal cash prize of $5000 when their project is complete.

Ms Buckis said in the five years to the end of 2016, 21 per cent of drivers killed in Victoria were aged 18 to 25.

“Last year was a horror year on our roads - We’re calling on everyone at every age to look out for each other and take care on the roads for a safer 2017.”

The Green Man Grants program was launched late last year and is part of the Victorian Government’s $146 million Young Driver Safety Package.

For more information visit: www.greenmangrants.com.au