16 December 2011

Eastern Victoria Region MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Edward O'Donohue, Gembrook MP Brad Battin, and Bass MP Ken Smith have encouraged motorists to stay alert and safe on the roads during the Christmas and holiday season.

Mr O'Donohue said it was up to individual drivers to take the necessary precautions on the roads.

"The Christmas period should be a happy time to be enjoyed with loved ones and not a period marred by tragedy," Mr O'Donohue said.

"It is important that every driver takes ownership of their safety on the roads this Christmas. Communities also need to work together to discourage risky behaviour on the roads."

Mr Battin said the Coalition recently launched the TAC Slow Ball Challenge, a facebook campaign designed to change attitudes to speeding, particularly among young men.

"Young people are over-represented in accident statistics. This Slow Ball Challenge is utilising social media to encourage young people to think about road safety and the impact of speeding," Mr Battin said.

"To take part, you just need to visit facebook.com/slowballchallenge to create your own virtual cricket team."

Mr Smith said the Slow Ball Challenge would complement Talk the Toll Down, a campaign between the TAC and 60 regional newspapers to cut the road toll.

"More than half of road fatalities occur on regional roads. Talk the Toll Down is ensuring road safety is part of the conversation in regional communities," Mr Smith said.