The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is the statutory insurer of third-party personal liability (CTP insurance in other states) for road accidents in the State of Victoria, Australia. It was established under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
Its purpose is to fund treatment and support services for people injured in transport accidents. The TAC's support covers medical and non-medical expenses incurred as a result of an accident, for example income support for people whose injuries prevent them from performing normal job duties, or return to work programs, and equipment or aids, such as wheelchairs or crutches that are recommended by a healthcare professional. Funding used by the TAC to perform these functions comes from compulsory payments made by Victorian motorists when they register their vehicles each year with VicRoads.
The TAC also has a duty to help reduce accidents on Victorian roads. It is responsible for the majority of road safety advertising in the state.
Video Transport Accident Commission
Public education campaigns
The TAC is known for its powerful road safety public education campaigns which emphasize the personal costs of dangerous driving practices (such as speeding and drunk driving) using emotive, educational and enforcement based themes.
In 1989 the increasing cost of accidents caused VicRoads and the TAC to adopt a new approach including:
- a significant boost to enforcement resources targeting speeding campaigns to sign-post change and help set the public agenda
- a sustained and community-based road safety bodies, and
- an emphasis on evaluating their effectiveness
For its part, the TAC funds television and billboards coupled with high-impact advertising.
The TAC's most well known slogan is If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot, which was introduced in 1989. This slogan has become a catchphrase in Australia, and has even been used in other countries (including Canada and New Zealand). In recent times, this has been replaced with Only a little bit over? You bloody idiot to reflect the danger of low-level drink-driving.
Another well known slogan is Don't fool yourself, speed kills which was introduced in 1994. This has also been modified in recent years to reflect low-level speeding to Wipe off 5.
Other recognised TAC slogans from the 1990s include Belt up, or suffer the pain, Take a break, fatigue kills, It's in your hands, concentrate or kill, and Country people die on country roads.
A recent safety campaign drew attention to life-saving in-car technologies, such as Electronic Stability Control and curtain airbags. The aim of this campaign was to encourage car buyers to ask for these important safety features when purchasing their next car (the TAC has set up a website to promote this, www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au). The Victorian Government has mandated this as a future design requirement.
Television advertising
There have been over 40 TV advertisements produced by the TAC covering a range of areas concerning road safety, many of which can currently be viewed on YouTube.
Girlfriend - 10 December 1989 - 1:01 - "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
The first TAC ad, depicting a couple arriving in hospital after the man crashed while drink-driving. The man has his arm in a sling while the girl is taken to the emergency room to be operated on. Her parents are called and on arrival are informed that she may lose her leg. The man tries to see her, but is angrily chased away by the mother, and they are separated by security. While the man is crying, a nurse explains that the people who cause the accidents have to live with it and "that's the real tragedy."
Beach Road - 1990 - 1:00 - "Don't fool yourself, speed kills."
Depicts an accident scene in which the driver of a car went 90 in a 60 zone and hit a young boy who died at the scene. His mother mourns his death while an ambulance officer explains, amongst other things, that "the faster you drive, the harder you hit, the more damage you do."
Tracy - 1990 - 1:00 - "Don't fool yourself, speed kills."
Depicts a distraught young girl after a road accident, who mourns the death of her friend, a passenger in the vehicle she was driving.
Fireball - 1991 - 1:30 - "Country people die on country roads."
Depicts a pair of couples in a car driving along a regional road. The driver is distracted, loses control of the car and rolls off the side of the road into a ditch. One of the occupants is killed in the crash; moments later, leaking fuel is ignited and the car is engulfed in flames. The next morning, a couple of farmers discuss the crash and the resulting fire, with one of them assuming it was 'city kids' who didn't know the road before his wife comes outside, devastated, as their grandson was the driver who was killed.
Joey - 1992 - 1:00 - "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
Depicts a young man, Brett, and his brother, Joey, leaving a party. Joey pleads with him to let him drive, as he feels Brett has had too much to drink. Brett ignores his warning and orders him to get in the car. Later, Brett starts swerving the car to prove he can control it. Joey begs for him to pull over, but he swerves again and loses control, crashing the car. Later, Brett is alone in a hospital and screams out Joey's name, lamenting on how he killed his brother.
6 O'Clock News - 1993 - "Don't fool yourself, speed kills."
Depicts a young man leaving for a fishing trip and saying goodbye to his family, assuring them that he is fine to drive as it is a long time since he last received a speeding ticket. Later in the day, the family members are watching the evening news when they recognise his car in coverage of a road crash where the driver has been killed.
Gravel - 1993 - 1:30 - "Don't fool yourself, speed kills."
Depicts a young driver speeding on a gravel road who is impatient to arrive to pick up a friend and is encouraged to speed by his friend. He reassures his girlfriend in the front passenger seat that he knows the road, but loses control of the car on the gravel surface, clips a school bus, runs far off the road and crashes into a tree.
Glasses - 1993 - 1:01 - "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
Depicts a man driving a car while four empty glasses of beer are placed in front of him indicating how much he has been drinking; he crashes into the back of a parked truck and is killed. The police inform his wife, who starts to cry, and her daughter come in and asks what's wrong.
Courtroom - 1993 - 1:00 - "Don't fool yourself, speed kills."
This advertisement showed an impatient motorway driver who speeds into the emergency lane, running over a man who was changing a tyre. She is then shown in court being sentenced for manslaughter, and cries out to the victim's family that she is sorry.
Overtaking - 1994
Depicts a young male driver on a country road with his young sister in the passenger seat. He is stuck behind a semi trailer and pulls out to overtake it on the crest of a hill, colliding head on with another semi-trailer as a result.
Bones - 1994 - 1:00 - "Belt up, or suffer the pain."
Depicts a young woman not wearing a seat belt, distracting the driver of the car which subsequently runs into a parked truck; the woman is thrown through the front window and is later shown recovering through difficult physiotherapy. This was the first advertisement to depict a long-term injury.
Country Kids - "Darren!" - 1995 - 2:00 - "It's in your hands, concentrate or kill."
Depicts a car full of teenagers on a country road, who are not wearing seatbeats, while the driver is speeding and is distracted by play fighting in the car; despite a passenger's attempt to warn the driver, the car drives through a stop sign and collides with another car before bursting into flames, killing three of the occupants. Later, it is revealed that the fourth, Darren, had died in hospital. The advertisement ends when the victim's parents in the waiting room embrace after hearing Darren's mother scream. An alternative version has a friend who was following them being interviewed and Darren's sister screaming for him.
Prison - 1995 - "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
Depicts a man whose wife and children visit him in prison. He recalls how he went to the pub to celebrate his wife's pregnancy, drove home and caused a crash which killed a child. His wife is worried that he will miss their baby's first birthday, and asks if he will get parole. The driver breaks down and his family is seen leaving the prison in tears.
Mum in a Hurry - 1995 - 1:01 "Don't fool yourself, speed kills." and "Country people die on country roads."
This advertisement depicts a mother in a rush to pick up her son at kindergarten, and while driving at 80 km/h through a 60 km/h residential zone, hits a young boy who runs onto the road chasing his dog, killing him. The boy's mother rushes to the scene, crying, while the mother attempts to say sorry.
Motherless Child - 1995 - 1:30 - "It's in your hands, concentrate or kill."
Depicts a couple of girls going to a party. While driving, they are constantly looking behind to see if two male friends are coming to the party with them, and hit a car side on after running a red light. The men come out from their car to find the two girls uninjured, before rushing to the other car, where they find a woman dead and her baby crying. He tells his friends that she's died and the girls start crying, knowing they have killed the child's mother.
Don't Get In - 1995 - 1:30 - "If you don't trust the driver, don't get in."
The advertisement begins with a girl winning a netball game for her team, and later celebrating with her friends. Afterwards she is offered a lift home, but is hesitant to accept as she knows the driver has had a drink. However, after succumbing to peer pressure, she reluctantly gets in the car, and the car crashes into a stone pillar, causing her to suffer severe brain damage. Later, as the viewers are shown how much her life has deteriorated since the injury, the girl says that the worst part was losing all her friends and how much she regrets getting in the car.
What Hurts Most - 1995 - 1:01 - "Belt up, or suffer the pain."
Depicts an almost blind person explaining how he lost his vision after taking off his seat belt for a few seconds to reach for a street directory on the floor, before the car crashed.
Speed Cameras - 1995 - 0:30
This advertisement features a family discussing the issue of speed cameras around the dinner table. Their son, in his early 20s, is disdainful of speed cameras, which he claims are just there to make money; his father takes the matter more seriously and warns him to watch his speed on the road. The same scene is later repeated with the son now paralysed and suffering from a brain injury, having apparently ignored this advice.
Courthouse - 1995 - 1:00
This advertisement shows a man being picked up from court by a friend, having just lost his licence. It is revealed through their conversation that the man caused a crash due to speeding and his girlfriend was seriously injured.
Christmas Accident - 1996 - 1:00 - "Should you be driving home tonight?" and "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
Aired for a few years during the Christmas holidays, a montage of scenes from various TAC ads is shown while a young girl sings the John Lennon song "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)".
12 Days of Christmas (Monday, Wednesday) - 1996 - 1:00 - "Should you be driving home tonight?" and "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
A man decorates a Christmas tree with his two children and pregnant wife on Monday. On Wednesday, he drinks alcohol with friends at an office party before driving his car; he subsequently crashes into a telephone pole and suffers a severe brain injury.
12 Days of Christmas (Thursday, Sunday) - 1996 - 1:00 - "Should you be driving home tonight?" and "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
A continuation of the "Monday, Wednesday" advertisement. On Thursday, the man's family await news of his condition as he is kept alive on life support, all telling themselves that he'll be fine. By Sunday it is revealed that his brain has stopped functioning and they must turn off the life-support machines. His devastated parents and wife then say goodbye to him as he is disconnected.
12 Days of Christmas (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day) - 1996 - 1:00 - "Should you be driving home tonight?" and "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
A conclusion of the "Thursday, Sunday" advertisement. On Christmas Eve, the man's funeral is held and, as his wife breaks down in the car, his upset children ask their grandparents if their father will be at the church. On Christmas Day, his devastated wife opens presents with her children as one of them asks if Santa will find their father, and she struggles to answer.
Bush Telegraph - 1997 - 1:30 - "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
Depicts a man drinking alcohol with friends before driving home with his son and their dog, while joking about their friend's belief that they'll never be caught drink driving. They take a detour to avoid a booze bus, and laugh when they see a car pulled over by the police; but the driver runs their ute through a stop sign and they are hit side-on by a truck. The man's friends are later phoned to inform them of the accident. This ad targeted rural drivers who are more concerned with trying to avoid getting caught drink-driving (often by relying on word of mouth to warn each other when police have been spotted nearby) than the risk of crashing.
10 KPH Less - 1997 - 1:00 - "10 kph less will save lives."
Very graphic content. Depicts a man being hit by a car at around 70 km/h. The footage is then shown in slow motion whilst a physician explains the effects on the human body in such a situation before adding that "Had you been braking from 60ks and not 70, there's a good chance you could have stopped in time." The scene of the crash at the beginning of the ad became misused as a darkly humorous viral video in the late 90s, alongside the crash from the movie Meet Joe Black.
Motorcycle Safety - 1997 - 1:00 - "Motorcycle Riders. Assume the worst in all traffic."
The very first motorcycle safety advertisement from the TAC, this ad features a rider weaving in between traffic when he is struck by a car and loses control, falling off his bike and having his legs run over by a passing vehicle. He is then shown at home, permanently bound to a wheelchair, where he struggles to make it to the toilet in time before he breaks down crying.
Drowning - 1997 - 1:30 - "Take a break, fatigue kills."
Depicts a man driving his wife and children in a car long distance through a regional area without enough sleep. He eventually falls asleep, and the car runs off the road and into a lake. He escapes the sinking car and screams for help, but there is no one around to help him save his family.
Nightshift - 1997 - 1:30 - "Take a break, fatigue kills."
Shawn leaves his job at a restaurant and heads into his Kombi, where his girlfriend is waiting to make an overnight trip. They drive through the night, and the next morning, Shawn is clearly having trouble staying awake. His girlfriend wakes up as Shawn briefly drives into the other lane before his fatigue gets the better of him, and he crashes the Kombi into side of a truck, killing himself and his girlfriend. The ad ends with the semi-truck's driver getting out to see the crash.
Leave the crunching to the Tigers - 1997 - 0:30 - "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
This ad consists of footage of players from AFL team Richmond colliding into opposition players during games. The ad ends with a voiceover saying "These are the only crunches the Tigers like to see" before displaying the "Drink, drive, bloody idiot" message in yellow upon a black background (rather than the usual TAC colour scheme of white upon a black background) as yellow and black are Richmond's team colours.
Leave the speeding to the Bombers - 1997 - 0:31 - "Speed kills."
Two men are watching AFL club Essendon on TV. After the club scores and celebrates, one of the men rushes into another room and the many things he is quickly doing are audible, and he soon comes back in with a big pile of food. The ad ends with commentator Rex Hunt saying "And that's the only speed the Bombers like to see." Another version shows game footage of Essendon playing well and ends with Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy announcing "And that's the only speed the Bombers like to see."
The Game - late 1997 - 0:30 - "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
Two supporters of AFL club Richmond are watching their team play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground while drinking beer. After the game, they are seen walking in the car park, and as one of them attempts to unlock the door with his key, they hear a strange noise, which is actually a cartoon tiger on the car's bumper sticker roaring. The men interpret the sound as a sign they have had too much to drink and decide to walk home instead, and catch the train to the next game.
Blame - early 1998 - 1:00 - "Don't fool yourself, speed kills."
Depicts a man driving slightly over the speed limit who loses control of his car and collides with a telephone pole, killing his wife. The narrator explains, "For every five Ks over the limit, your risk of crashing doubles."
Young Cops - 1998 - 1:30 - "Don't fool yourself, speed kills."
Depicts police officers catching drivers exceeding the speed limit on a stretch of road, who hear many different excuses for why the drivers were caught speeding. Later, the police officers get a call to a road accident, resulting in the death of a young girl and a woman whose husband lost control while speeding.
The Pub - 1998 - 1:30 - "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
Very graphic content. Depicts a young man driving a short trip home after drinking alcohol with his friends at a pub, but his reaction time is reduced, and after he is distracted by something in his car, he hits and kills two elderly pedestrians walking their dog. Later it is revealed he has been sentenced to five years in prison for the accident.
HELP - 1999 - 0:30 - "You never stop learning."
The first TAC spot targeted at L and P plate drivers, this ad depicts 3 young and inexperienced P plate drivers, who each end up making a serious mistake while driving. Before the outcome of each is shown, the scene cuts away with the voiceover asking the viewer - "what happens now?".
Pinball - 1999 - 1:00 - "Belt up, or suffer the pain."
Depicts a car in a low speed collision with another car, and a male occupant is not wearing his seat belt is thrown around inside the car. A physician explains the effects on his body as the footage is replayed in slow motion, and it is shown that the man is now disabled.
Blood Test - 1999 - 1:31 - "If you drink then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
Depicts a man and woman in an A&E department recovering after a car accident, sporting minor injuries. The woman lambasts the man, John, for insisting to drive her home when clearly under the influence of alcohol, saying she would have got a taxi. A doctor then instructs John to undergo a compulsory blood alcohol test. After trying in vain to avoid having the test John reluctantly agrees to it, clearly knowing it would likely incriminate him. John is then informed by the police that the passenger from the other vehicle in the accident had died and although full of remorse and regret, John is placed under arrest.
Powernap - 1999 - 1:00 - "A 15 minute powernap could save your life." and "Fatigue kills."
Depicts a tired driver pulling over to take a powernap after an alternative course of events, where instead of pulling over, the driver falls asleep at the wheel and crashes into a construction vehicle at a roadwork site where the car bursts into flames before the driver can escape the wreck.
The Hidden Toll - late 1999 - 2:00 - "It's 46 too many."
This advertisement is a montage of various TAC campaigns from the previous 20 years, set to the song "These Days" by Powderfinger. Rather than mentioning death, this ad pointed out the fact that at the time, 46 people were injured on road crashes in Victoria every day.
Everybody Hurts - 1999/2009 - 5:21 - "Dec 1989-Dec 1999" (1999)/"For everybody's sake, drive safely this Christmas. (2009)"
A five-minute retrospective of the road safety campaigns produced by the TAC over the last 10 years, with the song "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M. playing during the montage. This was reused for their 20th anniversary, adding on the advertisements from 1999-2009. The 2009 version became the TAC's most well-known ad since "10 KPH Less" in 1997 and prior to the introduction of Graham in 2016, despite being a montage of prior ads.
Never - early 2000 - 1:30 - "If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot."
Depicts a young man who has consumed low levels of alcohol and collided with a parked tray truck, killing his girlfriend. A series of flashbacks then shows the two of them at his girlfriend's father's birthday. This is intercut with the emergency teams declaring her dead as her father arrives. Her father then discusses all the things she'll never do again, and how he'll never forget having to choose a coffin for his daughter.
Shark - 2000 - 1:00 - "The way we drive is killing Victorians."
Depicts a boy being attacked by a shark at a beach, who screams for help while many people look on apathetically and continue to go about their business. The narrator explains: "Every year hundreds of people are killed on Victoria's roads, and this is how we react. It's time we changed."
Mobile - mid-2000 - 0:30 - "On the phone? Get off the road."
Depicts a young woman driving on her birthday whilst text messaging when a young boy rides a scooter further down the road and is subsequently hit by the car.
No Accident & The Wife - 2000 - 1:45 - "Wipe off 5."
Very graphic content. A series of two ads usually aired within the same commercial break. The first depicts a man driving a car 5 km/h over the speed limit who hits a young girl riding a bike, leaving her seriously injured. The second shows the events later as he argues with his wife over the incident; he explains that if he had been under the speed limit he may only have broken her leg.
Haunted - late 2000 - 2:00 - "You don't have to be drunk to be a drink driver." and "Only a little bit over? You bloody idiot."
Follows a middle-aged man throughout his daily life who is haunted by images of a young boy staring accusingly at him. It then shows the man earlier in his life, when he killed the young boy with his car whilst driving with just a small blood alcohol content reading. This advertisement was recreated by the British Department of Transport nine years after the original aired.
Snap - late 2000 - 0:30 - "Think twice before running a red."
Depicts drivers caught on red light cameras while driving through red lights. The narration explains that "if you're lucky, you'll only be snapped twice; one snap if you're speeding, another if you run the red." The scene of a fatal road accident in which the driver has suffered a broken neck is then revealed, in which the narrator explains "If you're not so lucky, you'll get a third snap".
15 Years Old - early 2001 - 0:30 - "Are you roadworthy?" and "HELP."
An advertisement explaining that 15-year-olds should book to apply for their learner's permit so they can get as much practice as possible before applying for their Probationary license. Rather than showing graphic crash scenes, the ad features bright colours and techno music, presumably to appeal to the target demographic.
Scooter - 2001 - 0:30 - "What's between you and the operating theatre?"
Depicts a young woman in an operating room who has crashed while riding her motorised scooter. It is revealed that she was not wearing any protective clothing and as a result has lost a large amount of her skin.
Lost - late 2001 - 0:30 - "Don't push fatigue. Pull over."
Depicts a car being driven along a road from the perspective of a fatigued driver who subsequently wanders off the road without realising and collides with a tree. The narrator explains "Your eyes don't have to shut for your mind to be asleep."
Motorcycle - early 2002 - 0:30 - "What's between you and the operating theatre?"
Depicts a young man in an operating room who has crashed while riding his motorbike. It is revealed that he was only wearing denim, not protective leather or Kevlar, and as a result has lost a large amount of his skin.
Vice Versa - early 2002 - 1:00 - "Put yourself in their shoes."
Depicts the drivers of a car and a motorcycle changing places and explores the thought processes of a motorcycle driver in heavy traffic. The motorcyclist is not seen by the driver of a car who changes lanes, forcing him off his motorbike.
Driving While Distracted #1 - early 2002 - 0:30 - "Distracted drivers are dangerous."
Depicts various events in which drivers who are using mobile phones, changing CDs and talking to other occupants are involved in accidents or near accidents.
Driving While Distracted #2 - Spring 2002 - 0:30 - "Distracted drivers are dangerous."
Depicts various events in which drivers who are using mobile phones, changing CDs and talking to other occupants are involved in accidents or near accidents.
When? (Regional Version) - mid-2002 - 0:30 - "Only a little bit over? You bloody idiot."
Depicts several occasions in which a man driving on regional roads narrowly avoids booze buses until eventually he is pulled over by one and is found to be slightly over the limit. The narrator explains that there are an increased number of booze buses operating.
When? (Metro Version) - Summer 2002 - 0:30 - "Only a little bit over? You bloody idiot."
Depicts several occasions in which a man driving on city roads narrowly avoids booze buses until eventually he is pulled over by one and is found to be slightly over the limit. The narrator explains that there are an increased number of booze buses operating.
Slo-Mo - 2002 - 1:01 - "Wipe off 5."
Depicts two cars at a test scene, one going at 65kmph and the other at 60 km/h. A truck appears in front of them and they both brake. The driver going 60 km/h hits the side of the truck at 5 km/h, causing a minor dent. The driver going 65 km/h hits at 32 km/h, seriously damaging the car and being injured.
Post-Mortem - 2002 - "Wipe off 5."
Depicts a driver recalling in flashbacks the events leading up to a crash which killed his young daughter, who would have survived had he been travelling at just 5 km/h less.
Big Hit - late 2002 - 0:30 - "A 15 minute power nap could save your life."
This advertisement is set at a training session of the Victorian Bushrangers cricket team at Melbourne's Junction Oval. Bushrangers captain Cameron White talks about how cricket is a game of concentration, and during training, the players take a break every 2 hours to refresh their minds. White says it is the same when a driver is out on the roads.
Double Bus - early 2003 - 0:30 - "If you drive on drugs, you're out of your mind."
Depicts a man driving home late at night who is pulled over by a booze bus. He passes the alcohol test and it is then explained to him by the police officer that he will now be tested for drugs, to which he appears surprised. The narrator explains that booze buses now also test for the presence of other drugs. This was rerun in 2015 with the slogan "If you drive on drugs, you're not thinking straight."
Little Bit Dead - 2003 - 0:30 - "Only a little bit over? You bloody idiot."
Depicts a drink driver at a fatal crash explaining what he has caused (only a LITTLE bit of injury, grief, death). As he is arrested he says, "But I was only a little bit over."
Curtain Airbags - 2003 - 0:45 - "howsafeisyourcar.com.au"
A woman who has suffered brain injury talks about side curtain airbags and explains that before her crash she knew nothing about them, whilst now she is an expert.
Want Some?/The Cell - November 2003 - April 2004 - "If you drive on drugs, you're out of your mind."
Depicts a young man accepting an offer to take drugs at a nightclub. The events of that night and the early morning are revealed in pieces out of chronological order, including the man driving a car before hitting and killing a pedestrian. Later, he spends the night in a jail cell whilst coming down from the effects of the drug.
Pictures Of You - 2004 - 3:00 - "Slow down. Please."
This news-making advertisement features relatives of 10 real-life victims of crashes where speed was the main factor. In the ad, the people are seeing, holding and staring at photos of the deceased. The song used in this ad is a cover of The Cure's "Pictures of You," performed by Angie Hart.
We'll Catch You Before Someone Gets Hurt - 2004 - 0:30
This ad, which aired over the Christmas/New Year holiday period, features Victoria Police's traffic commissioner Ken Lay warning drivers that over the period, the police would have more booze buses and patrol cars on the roads than ever before.
The Good Driver - late 2007 - 1:00 - "There's no excuse for speeding."
Depicts a man and a separate version of himself who gives commentary on his driving habits in various situations, making excuses for speeding, until eventually he causes a serious road accident.
Reconstruction - 2009 - "Wipe off 5."
Depicts Peter Bellion, investigator of the Victoria Police MCIU (Major Collision Investigation Unit), assessing an accident where a woman was killed. He shows a reconstruction where the driver went 5 kilometers slower and the woman only had a bruised leg.
Swap - 2009 - "If you drive on drugs, you're out of your mind."
Depicts a couple at a party. The man smokes a joint of marijuana with a friend. His partner tells him it is time to go home. While driving, he is obviously impaired (waiting at an intersection where there are no cars in sight, alternating in driving too fast and slow), until he agrees to let his partner drive. As soon as he steps out of the driver's side, he is hit and killed by an oncoming car.
Levels - 2009 - "Only a little bit over? You bloody idiot."
Depicts two people ordering drinks before leaving a bar believing they are still the standard levels to keep you under 0.05. The barmaid begins emptying out beer from each glass according to the circumstances of each man (being tired, having earlier drinks, different glass sizes, etc.), and seeing they are left with considerably emptier glasses, decide to leave.
The Ride - 2009 - 0:45 - "It's up to you to reduce the risks."
Depicts various motorcycle riders taking dangerous chances until one loses control and is hit by an oncoming four wheel drive.
Motorcycle Reconstruction - 2012 - "Slowing down won't kill you."
A sequel to "Reconstruction" from 2009, again featuring Peter Bellion of the Victoria Police MCIU, who investigates a crash in which a motorcyclist going at 68 km/h broke his neck on impact with a car and died instantly. The incident is reconstructed so that the motorcyclist is going at 60 km/h, where he is able to brake earlier and the driver can stop in time.
Blind (Regional Version) - 2013 - 0:46 - "Distractions lead to disaster."
Depicts a man driving on regional roads, who is distracted by various things inside the car (such as the sat-nav, his mobile, and the radio). The advertisement demonstrates that for the two seconds he is distracted, he travels 27 metres "blind" (as he is not looking at the road) and hits a woman who is crossing the road with a pram.
Blind (Metro Version) - 2013 - 0:46 - "Distractions lead to disaster."
Depicts a man driving on city roads, who is distracted by various things inside the car (such as the sat-nav, his mobile, and the radio). The advertisement demonstrates that for the two seconds he is distracted, he travels 27 metres "blind" (as he is not looking at the road) and hits a girl who is getting off a school bus.
Auto-Emergency Braking - 2014 - 0:45 - "howsafeisyourcar.com.au"
Depicts a man who is distracted while driving and doesn't notice another car swerving in front of him. A narrator explains that, with auto-emergency braking, the car will automatically brake if the driver does not; and the advertisement demonstrates the different consequences depending on whether or not the car comes equipped with this feature (the car being able to stop in time, or causing a rear-impact crash in which several people are injured.)
Alcohol Interlocks - 2014- "Only a little bit over? You bloody idiot."
Depicts the reality of having to live with an alcohol interlock for drivers whose licences are cancelled because of drink-driving.
Strings - 2015 - "Make every drive a good example."
Depicts a young boy in the back of a car, attached to strings like a puppet. He imitates the actions of a driver, including using a mobile phone while driving, and abusing other road users. It is then shown that he is mirroring the actions of his father at the wheel, who displays similarly dangerous behaviour.
Alcohol Interlocks (2015) - 2015 - "A little over? A lot to lose."
Depicts the reality of having to live with an alcohol interlock for drivers whose licences are cancelled because of drink-driving.
Then and Now - 2015 - "Together, we can change road safety for good. "
Depicts a comparison of the "Nightshift" advertisement with a modern recreation, first showing the drivers looking fatigued. The original's ending is first shown, with the outcome of the Kombi crashing into the side of the truck. The recreation is then shown, but with the outcome of the driver and his girlfriend avoiding collision. A narrator then explains that, despite people making mistakes, improvements have been made to make roads, cars and speeds safer.
Graham - 2016 - 2:36/0:30 - "Towards zero".
"Graham" is a sculpture designed by Melbourne-based artist Patricia Piccinini, of what a man would look like if it was made to survive a car crash. The sculpture has no neck, a large head, extremely flexible knees, and "airbags" with nipples covering all of his ribs. The ad went internationally viral, and became possibly the TAC's most famous ad of them all, albeit in photographic still form. Like the similarly-viral "10kph less", Graham's grotesque look was used as a source for dark humour, especially with social media users not from Victoria, or not from Australia at all.
Rethink Speed - 2016 - 1:01/0:30 - "Every speed has a consequence".
Depicts several versions of the same scenario where a young boy on a bicycle has ridden out in front of a driver, and shows the consequences depending on the driver's speed. At a low speed, the driver is able to stop in time; at higher speeds, the driver runs over the child and wraps the car around a lamppost.
Drowsy Driving - 2017 - 0:30 - "You can't fight sleep".
Depicts a woman who appears to be sleeping in bed; the camera pulls back to reveal that she had fallen asleep at the wheel and her "pillow" is the car's airbag, which has deployed after she crashed.
Random Drug Tests - 2017 - 0:30 - "More drug tests. More places. More often".
Depicts a man who is stopped by police and tests positive for illegal drugs; he is arrested. A narrator explains that a driver may still test positive a day or more after taking drugs.
Video game advertising campaigns
On 10 March 2009, the TAC began in-game advertising in Saint's Row 2, and have their slogans featured on banners in Trackmania Nations.
Also, in Grand Theft Auto 4, if you get Niko drunk and then drive, either he or his drinking partner will say "Niko, if you drink then drive, you're a bloody idiot".
Maps Transport Accident Commission
Australian Football League partnerships
The TAC has had partnerships with the Australian Football League and its teams to help road safety messages reach audiences at a grass-roots level.
Most famously, the TAC was the major sponsor of Richmond for 16 years through the "Drink, drive, bloody idiot" campaign, which saw the "Drink drive" message displayed on the team's jerseys which was terminated when a Richmond player was caught drink-driving. The TAC also sponsored Essendon from 1994 until 2000 with the "Don't fool yourself, speed kills" campaign, and Collingwood from 2002 until 2006 with the "Wipe off 5" message.
Non-AFL sporting partnerships
The TAC has been the major sponsor of the quasi-national under-18s Australian Rules Football league, known as the TAC Cup, since its inception in 1992. Outside Australian Rules, the TAC has partnerships with A-League side Melbourne Victory and the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
References
External links
- Official Website
- TAC Official YouTube Channel
- TAC Road Safety Website
- How Safe is Your Car
- MAFMAD Make a film. Make a difference
- Spokes, Motorcycle safety website
- Investigation of audience perceptions of TAC road safety advertising
Source of article : Wikipedia
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