Falcons swoop on chance to spread safety message

GEELONG Falcons players star in a new road-safety campaign on young drivers’ increased risks in their first six months driving solo.
Players from the TAC Cup side filmed a series of vox-pop interviews at their Highton training ground last week as part of a partnership with the Transport Accident Commission.
Falcons AFL talent manager Michael Turner said the aspiring footy stars relished the opportunity to step up as role models.
“In the video they’ll be basically talking to other learner drivers and their parents about the importance of practicing night driving and driving in all conditions because that’s something the TAC feels needs some additional attention,” Mr Turner said.
TAC research released as part of its saferpplaters.com.au parental campaign shows drivers are 30 time more likely to crash in their first six months of solo driving than when on L-plates.
“The boys are well aware other young people look up to them, so they understand the role they can play in encouraging safer road use,” Mr Turner said.
The interviews, airing on Channel Nine’s TAC Cup Future Stars program later this year, are among a number of road-safety activities in which the club will be involved in 2014.
Players will also participate in a Learner Drivers Rally and promote a Speed Hurts message, aimed at making speeding socially unacceptable.