Wipe Off 5 Campaign

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WIPE OFF 5 CAMPAIGN The Wipe Off 5 campaign is managed by an organisation called Traffic Accident Commission (TAC), advertisements commenced in August 2001 in Victoria. The aim of the program is to educate people "exceeding the speed limit 5 to 10 km/h is NOT safe, so Wipe Off 5 and save someone's life." TAC is owned by the Victorian government, and is responsible to pay fro treatment and benefits for people injured in transport accidents. It also has the role to promote road safety and reduce the road fatality rate. This is the reason Wipe Off 5 program was introduced. TAC has worked out that if every Victorian driver reduced the average speed of 5 km/h, 95 lives could be saved.

Most road users are aware of themes and messages involved with road safety such as the campaign Wipe Off 5 promoted by the TAC. Campaigns are advertised nearly everywhere, there is stickers on the backs of the cars, television advertisements, radio announcements, they provide sponsorship in major recreational events such as football, cultural activities and organisations.

The police have a major involvement to TAC campaigns. There are discussions at present banning advertisements promoting fast, speeding cars. As they encourage people to speed when the aim of the TAC campaign is to encourage people to reduce speed. Establishment of these programs has been developed as it relies on saving lives and government money. Usage of graphic and shocking images are portrayed so people actually take notice and change their beliefs. This ultimately should influence safe practice and behaviour on the road.

The campaign will only be beneficial if they get the public's attention to focus on reducing the 5- 10 km/h of their average speed and a reduction in lost lives, and injury from road trauma. At the same time last year- February 2001 the road toll was 94% compared to this February 2002, it has dropped 7%. Wipe Off 5 advertisements shows two cars: one going at 60km/h, the other at 50km/h hitting a little girl crossing the road. The car going 60km/h killed the girl, and the 50km/h had time to stop without injury occurring. Some statistics show that changing speed limits to 50km/h has reduced the accidents reducing the fatality rate slightly.

Some drivers in Victoria take the roads for granted and do not think about the consequences of that extra 5km/h. It can have psychological impacts on many families if death or injury occurs. Issues such as PostTraumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS) the driver could suffer following a death or injury of another human being. So Wipe Off 5, it is not safe if it involves someone else's life- it could also change your life forever.