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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-05-07 Daily Xml
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ROAD SAFETY

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:58): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Road Safety a question about the state government's latest road safety advertising initiative at AAMI Stadium.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Finding innovative ways to advertise road safety messages is a challenge for the government and the Motor Accident Commission. Will the Minister for Road Safety describe how the government is tackling this issue while South Australians sit back and enjoy the football?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for his important question. Most South Australians would be aware, through government advertising campaigns, of the 'fatal five', namely, speeding, drink/drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, inattention, and vulnerable road users. These messages are drummed home through various campaigns and the government, through the Motor Accident Commission, endeavours to make the campaigns as attention grabbing and thought provoking as possible.

For its latest campaign, MAC is targeting football fans at AAMI Stadium. The road safety measures that are being featured on the stadium's super screen remind spectators to remember the dangers of drink driving, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt. Importantly, the super screen is also beamed into homes and pubs across the country, and the messages have the potential to reach 1 million viewers. Those members in the chamber who have been to some of the football matches this season would be aware that the messages are:

'Bodies don't bounce—Wear a seatbelt'. Research has shown that South Australians believe they will injure themselves only if they choose not to wear a seatbelt. The fact is that seatbelts protect everyone in the car.

'Drink and Drive. Catch you after the game.' While most people enjoy a drink or two while watching the football, the stark reality is that drink driving kills. From 2002 to 2006 almost 700 drivers and motorcycle riders killed or seriously injured were above the legal blood alcohol limit. Road users aged 16 to 39 are more likely to drink drive, and getting caught is one of their most feared consequences.

'The faster you go the harder you hit. Don't speed.' The excitement of winning a game can be exhilarating but getting behind the wheel, once the siren has sounded, is not the time to let adrenalin take over. Research indicates that about one-third of drivers believe driving 5 kilometres per hour over the limit is acceptable; in fact, driving even a small amount over the limit can be the difference between a pedestrian having a bruise or a brain injury.

Football spectators, and all South Australians, have to sit up and take notice of these messages. Losing a football game may be disappointing (and I understand that both teams won last weekend), but having to deal with a lifelong serious injury or the death of a family member or friend is a tragedy. Serious road crashes have a devastating impact on the community, and driving on the road is not a game. These messages need to hit home.

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