NFNL clubs will be going the extra mile this weekend in Road Safety Round, wearing blue armbands to encourage safer driving and honouring the lives lost on roads.
This year’s campaign focuses on the dangers of speeding, which remains one of the major contributors to road trauma in Victoria – a factor in around 30 per cent of fatal crashes and 25 per cent of serious injuries.
Now in its eighth year, Road Safety Round brings road safety conversations directly into more than 1,000 grassroots clubs.
NFNL CEO Daniel Kelly said the message behind the round was a vital one for football clubs and the wider community.
“The importance of road safety can’t be overstated. Sporting clubs can be a real difference maker in this space with influencing players, coaches and supporters to make good decisions when they get behind the wheel,” he said.
“It’s pleasing to see a number of NFNL clubs getting behind this message, especially those which have been touched by road tragedy in the past.”
“Speeding continues to be one of the biggest contributors to deaths and serious injuries on our roads,” said TAC CEO Tracey Slatter at the Road Safety Round launch at the MCG on Monday.
“By starting conversations in clubs, changerooms and on the sidelines, we’re encouraging Victorians to look out for one another and make safer choices whenever they travel.”
So far this year, 140 lives have been lost on Victoria’s roads – a 20 per cent reduction on the same time last year, but a reminder that more still needs to be done to keep our roads safe.
Grassroots clubs can earn up to $10,000 through the $700,000 Club Rewards Program, for being road safety leaders.
To learn more about the program and apply, visit play.afl/victoria/tacclubrewards
Image: Graham Denholm / Getty Images
