Giants focus on road safety

Gisborne Giants immersed themselves in the July Road Safety Campaign as part of the TAC Club Rewards program and community messaging.

Road trauma has affected club members and wider networks, so the Giants are working to help change the attitudes of new and experienced drivers.

Key messages have included driver distractions, speeding, drinking responsibly and car safety.

Transport Accident Commission (TAC) facts and statistics have been used to support the campaign, including that driver distraction is a major cause of crashes on Victorian roads and many people are seriously injured as a result. In addition, each year about one in four drivers and passengers killed are not wearing a seatbelt.

“We have taken it a step further and put our messages into practice,” said Giants president Brad Gauci.

The club is holding a Ladies Day early in August and has organised transport during the event and afterwards to ensure attendees get home safely.

The upper age football players came together to hear local police officer Wade Andrews speak about road safety, and conversations about road experiences are being generated from the campaign.

Giants netballers and footballers are helping spread the message and the club is encouraging drivers to model respect on the roads. Non-drivers can also participate by considering who they get in a car with and ‘banter with the driver’ if they are not driving safely.

Gisborne Giants are proud to participate in the program and will continue the messaging, particularly with end of season celebrations in sight.

Submitted by Jess Bonanno