The AFL and the TAC launched Road Safety Round today, with Geelong Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield serving as ambassador of the initiative.
Road Safety Round, now in its seventh year, sees thousands of footballers and netballers at all levels don blue armbands to remember those who have lost their lives on Victorian roads and raise awareness of road safety.
As of today (Monday, July 21), Victoria has recorded 175 fatalities on its roads in 2025 – 18 more than this time last year, with the majority occurring in regional areas.
Dangerfield said one of the realities of living regionally was more time spent on the road.
“Being from a rural area I spend a lot of time on the roads… as our extended families do, and the community at large,” he said.
“(It) means you’re away from sporting, schooling facilities, so it means, by nature, you’re in the car. And if you’re in the car more than others, then you’re at a greater risk.”
Dangerfield, who lost an uncle in a drink-driving incident in 1996, said the impact of such a tragedy could last a lifetime.
“Road safety awareness and sporting clubs go hand-in-hand in a way, because sporting clubs are so impactful; they’re the community center for many people from all different types of backgrounds,” he said.
“So the importance of that is, I think, having honest conversations around being respectful and responsible on the roads.
“Sporting clubs are the hub of that and it’s a good conversation to have.”
Visit the tac.vic.gov.au/bandtogether for more information about Road Safety Round.
