Traffic stopper: Twins Bella and Lola, 6, meet Zac, 5, at a temporary intersection on the grounds of Manifold Heights Primary School. The prep trio was participating in a parade of colourful cardboard box cars as part of the school’s road safety studies.
GIFT cards and a new advertising campaign are fighting the road toll across the region in the lead up to the festive season, according to TAC headquarters.
The TAC said both campaigns were aimed at drink driving after 29 deaths statewide during a “traumatic” November for Victoria.
The organisation last week launched Christmas “gift vouchers” offering recipients a ride home over the holiday season.
TAC chief Janet Dore called the voucher cards, available at tac.vic.gov.au, a quirky means of helping keep the road toll down.
“Giving your mate one of these vouchers for Christmas is a fun way to say you care about them and you want them to stay safe on the roads,” she said.
“This might be more of a fun, light-hearted concept and, while it might not seem like a big deal, giving this gift could literally save lives.”
The TAC followed up the cards’ release with a new Bloody Idiot advertising campaign telling drinkers to stay off the road.
TAC senior road safety and marketing manager John Thompson said the campaign was timed to coincide with pre-Christmas festivities.
“We’re not saying don’t have a good time at Christmas parties, we’re just saying organise your trip before you go out so you can get home safely.”
