A new campaign is set to be rolled out across regional Victoria, encouraging Victorians to get home safely from country race meetings.
It comes at a time when the local racing season is in full swing with both the Woolamai and District Racing Club and Stony Creek Racing Club yet to host their annual cup meetings.
The Transport Accident Commission's ‘Ready’ campaign with Country Racing Victoria will highlight the risks associated with driving to and from races when alcohol is involved featuring promotion on social media and in racebooks about making alternative transport arrangements.
Upcoming local race meetings include:
Woolamai race dates
- Saturday, January 11, 2025 - Woolamai Kids’ Day Out
- Saturday, February 8, 2025 - Alex Scott & Staff Woolamai Cup
- Saturday, March 1, 2025 - Phillip Island Health Hub Race Day
Stony Creek race dates
- Sunday,January 12, 2025 - DS Sports School Holiday Racing
- Sunday, February 9, 2025 - Furphy’s Publican Day
- Sunday, March 9, 2025 - Ladbroke’s Stony Creek Cup
The new advertising content features ‘Everyday Heroes’ of country racing who play significant roles in making a race day happen – a horse handler, an operations manager and a designated driver.
This year's campaign follows a tragic year on Victoria’s roads in 2024, with 282 lives lost compared with 295 in 2023. More than half of the fatalities in 2024 occurred in regional areas.
The campaign will be prominent on social media and in race book advertisements in the run-up to country race events across Victoria to highlight the various transport options available to those attending regional events, such as taxis, rideshares and shuttle buses.
The TAC will be present at more than 20 Country Cups, where punters will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win $500 fuel vouchers and learn about the dangers of drink-driving.
For more information on the campaign, visit the TAC website: tac.vic.gov.au/country-racing-victoria
More than $1.1 billion is being invested until 2028 in road safety initiatives by the State Government, as part of a newly launched Road Safety Action Plan 2 to help prevent serious crashes and keep Victorians safe.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne, has welcomed the initiative.
"If you plan on having a drink at the races, taking a taxi, train, bus or lift home is your best bet.”
Acting Transport Accident Commission CEO, Sam Cockfield, said it was crucial that the community was directly engaged in the road safety campaign.
“We’re working closely with Country Racing Victoria to ensure there are enough safe transport options available for racegoers across the state.”
Country Racing Victoria Chairman Chas Armytage agreed.
“It is vital for all racegoers to plan ahead not only for the event itself but also for their transportation needs. CRV and country clubs remain committed to working with the TAC to promote this important educational message.”
