BEING ‘races ready’ is a must for race-goers heading to the Geelong Cup tomorrow, according to the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
The TAC has revamped its message to drink drivers with new campaigns that no longer tell offenders they are ‘bloody idiots’, instead reminding them they have ‘a lot to lose’ if they drive over the limit.
TAC road safety manager Samantha Cockfield said reaching out to Victorians to not drink-drive on their way home from the track is vital, as research shows people are more likely to take the risk in areas outside metropolitan Melbourne.
“Everyone heading to the Geelong Cup … should be in for a great day of racing, which can often involve having a few drinks as well,” Ms Cockfield said.
“What we don’t want race-goers to forget is that having a plan to get home safely is more important than any race at the track.
“One in four deaths on Victorian roads involves someone driving with a blood-alcohol level of more than .05 – the consequences of drink-driving can be the loss of someone’s father, mother, brother or sister.”
Free buses will run to the Geelong Racecourse every 15 minutes from the V/Line bus stop in Malop St – stopping also at the Lonsdale Street bus stop at Geelong South Railway Station – from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Free buses will depart every 30 minutes from the showgrounds adjoining the Geelong Racecourse, travelling to the Moorabool St northbound bus stop – stopping also at Ryrie St opposite the Bendigo Bank – from 4.30pm to 7pm.
“If you are planning on drinking at the races, your plan should be not to drive and buses are a great way of taking that out of the equation,” Ms Cockfield said.
Victoria Police will place booze buses in targeted areas throughout the country racing season in an effort to stop any unsafe drivers taking to the road.
At the racecourse, TAC breath testing teams will be set up at exit points next Wednesday to help race-goers avoid drink-driving by providing free breath tests, tea, coffee and water.
As many as 20,000 of these breath tests will be conducted across 60 country racing meets this season.
