The Victorian Government and Transport Accident Commission (TAC) are offering young Victorians the chance to use their creative skills to spread the road safety message and save lives on the state’s roads.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne, today joined the TAC to launch the seventh Split Second Competition, which invites Victorian creatives aged 18 to 30 to submit their attention-grabbing concepts for road safety campaigns aimed at young drivers.
“We are proud to again support the TAC’s Split Second Competition, which has shown us that through the power of creativity, young Victorians can influence attitudes and behaviours among their peers,” said Minister Horne.
This year the competition is open to filmmakers and content creators and will include two winning entries, each receiving a $5,000 cash prize and a production budget of $45,000 with a focus on low-level speeding or not wearing a seatbelt.
The two winners will also receive mentorship from Truce Films and creative agency TABOO.
“By engaging young filmmakers and content creators, we’re inviting fresh, authentic perspectives that can shift attitudes and save lives. We’re especially proud to continue highlighting voices of multicultural creatives, ensuring our messages reach and reflect the diversity of young Victorians,” said TAC Chief Executive Officer, Tracey Slatter.
Low level speeding is a major factor contributing to trauma on Victorian roads, even at lower levels with around 25 per cent of deaths and serious injuries on our roads involving people travelling 1-10 km/h over the limit.
Seatbelts are a focus of the competition for the second consecutive year, with road trauma data showing around a quarter of young drivers and passengers killed on the roads in the past decade were not wearing a seatbelt.
For the second time, one of the competition winners will be selected from a culturally and linguistically diverse community to ensure critical road safety messages are being tailored to engage as many young road users as possible.
“Split Second gave me the chance to tell a story that felt personal and powerful. It was a huge step forward in my creative journey – and knowing it could help save lives made it even more meaningful,” said 2024 Split Second Competition winner, Olivia Hartanto.
Entries are open until 9 November. For more information visit tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/split-second.
