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Fast progress on
slow program
Ten-thousand Victorians who signed upto slow down on the roads this summer have been applauded for showing their commitment to road safety.
Minister responsible for the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Gordon Rich-Phillips said the Slow Ball Challenge was a Facebook campaign that called on sports fans everywhere to sign up to slow down on the roads, and share their commitment with their mates.
He said it was launched in December and was supported by Melbourne’s two Twenty20 Big Bash teams, the Stars and the Renegades.
| 10,000 join road safety scheme |
He said over four weeks almost 10,000 Victorians – mainly young men – took part in the challenge.
At the end of the campaign two winners were rewarded for their efforts and presented with $5,000 each and given the chance to play a game of Slow Ball cricket on the MCG.
Mr Rich-Phillips congratulated the winners saying that all entrants had shown leadership and commitment to slowing down and looking after their mates.
“While this might seem like a fun, light-hearted campaign, every Victorian who entered the Slow Ball Challenge has taken a serious step towards helping reduce trauma on our roads,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
He said in 79 Victorians aged 16 to 25 were killed on the roads in 2011, including 35 drivers and 29 passengers.
“We know young people are over-represented in road trauma and we must continue to try new ways to reach them with the road safety message,” he said.
“Empowering young people to speak up if they feel their mates are doing the wrong thing in a car is one of the most important steps we can take towards lowering the road toll.”
The Slow Ball Challenge was developed by the TAC to encourage young people to speak up and educate the wider community on the dangers of speeding.
“We are committed to saving lives on Victorian roads and we urge the wider community to share that commitment,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
Edition 248, 25 January 2012
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