A new campaign is being rolled out across regional Victoria, encouraging Victorians to get home safely from country races.
The Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) “Ready” campaign with Country Racing Victoria will highlight the risks associated with driving to and from races when alcohol is involved.
The new content features “Everyday Heroes” of Ballarat, who play significant roles in making a race day happen – a horse handler, an operations manager and a designated driver.
The TAC is launching the campaign after it revealed 2024 had been a “tragic year on Victoria’s roads” with 282 lives lost. More than half of the fatalities occurred in regional areas.
The campaign will be prominent on social media and in race book advertisements in the run-up to country race events across Victoria to highlight the various transport options available to those attending regional events, such as taxis, rideshares and shuttle buses.
The TAC will be present at more than 20 Country Cups, where racegoers will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win $500 fuel vouchers and learn about the dangers of drink-driving.
More than $1.1 billion is being invested until 2028 in road safety initiatives by the Victorian Government, as part of a newly launched Road Safety Action Plan 2 to help prevent serious crashes and keep Victorians safe.