We all have that friend that we’re more than a little sus of behind the wheel. We’re talking those mates that have you gripping the door handles so tightly that you’re leaving behind nail marks. Those mates who you have to nudge to remind them to put on their seatbelt while simultaneously crossing your heart. Perhaps they channel their inner Dom Toretto (who, need we remind you, is not a real person!) and think they can floor it through fatigue, even though chugging an oversized can of energy drink won’t do what they think it will.
Yes, these friends exist. Do you feel called out after reading all that? Let this be a reminder to not get behind the wheel if you’re tired, for the love of God.
Look, you can only talk to/plead/scream at your friends to get some sense behind the wheel so many times. But instead of giving up, perhaps it’s time to take a more creative route – and one that you can walk away $5,000 richer for.
In a world where large amounts of our days are swallowed by consuming videos that are 60 seconds or less, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is putting on the annual Split Second Competition once again. In the name of saving lives, the TAC wants to hear your wildest, funniest and most creative ideas to raise awareness of vehicle safety and dangers of drowsy driving.
The winner will receive a $70,000 budget to have their idea produced by leading production studio Sweetshop into a 45-second ad. Victorian cinemas will then screen the ad for four weeks. Oh, and they’ll walk away with $5,000 in prize money. Think of it like this: if your friends aren’t listening to your pleas, then why not rub it in their faces every single time they go to the movies?
Take a look at 2021’s *ahem* to die for winning content below.
The runner-up will receive a $30,000 budget to have their idea produced by Sweetshop. Their content will also be promoted across social media and they could kick-start their career as a content creator. Even if your friend doesn’t go to the movies, they’ll be haunted by their own mistakes every time they scroll.
Jokes aside, around 50 young people are killed and 1,800 are seriously injured in road accidents each year. In 2019, 19% of drivers who lost their lives were aged between 18 and 25. However, this group representing only around 10% of all Victorian licence holders. It’s crucial that we spread awareness to our friends and loved ones in any way we can. Driving an unsafe car or forcing yourself to drive when you’re beyond tired is literally a life or death matter.
To find out more, and to find out how to enter, visit the TAC’s website. And you might wanna step on it as the competition closes on 4th May 2023. Just make sure you’re well rested and you’ve put your seatbelt on first.
