Victorian festival and concert lovers are being asked to assemble their ‘ultimate road crew’ as part of a new campaign encouraging the separation of drinking and driving this festival season.
The Transport Accident Commission and Victorian music festival, ALWAYS LIVE, have launched Ultimate Road Crew – a competition looking for the unsung heroes of friendship groups who get everyone home safely.
Music, theatre and television icon Natalie Bassingthwaighte and rising soul and pop star Budjerah will lend their voices to the campaign, inviting attendees to nominate those close to them who prioritise safety.
The campaign promotes the various roles people can play in ensuring they and those around them get home safely, including as the designated driver, the public transport planner or the friend who offers their couch as an alternative to driving home.
More than 250 people have died on Victorian roads this year, which has surpassed 2022’s total lives lost from road incidents.
TAC chief executive Tracey Slatter said it was a critical time to look out for each other on the roads and that a safe plan to get home should be at the top of everyone’s essential festival checklist.
“Many Victorians will be looking forward to spending the warmer months enjoying live music with their friends and loved ones, and we want everyone to make it home with fantastic memories,” she said.
“Our partnership with ALWAYS LIVE aims to build a culture within the live music industry that values road safety by prioritising safe travel options.’’
People could win various prizes, including dozens of rideshare and travel vouchers and a prize pack valued at $4000.
People could nominate their friends by sharing a short story about how their mate has saved the day at alwayslive.com.au/roadcrew