By Kath Gannaway
WITH summer racing one of the most popular activities in the Yarra Valley over summer, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) will be trackside at Cup meetings to remind racegoers that the safest bet is to separate drinking from driving altogether.
The Healesville Cup meeting this Saturday (14 January), and Yarra Valley Racing’s Cup Meeting on Sunday, 19 March are among more than 60 country racing events TAC will be attending across Victoria this summer.
With plenty of racing yet to come, at Healesville on Saturday 11 February and 1 April, and Yarra Glen on Saturday 21 January, 4 and 25 February and on 19 March, the key message from TAC is on is planning a safe way home.
TAC road safety manager Samantha Buckis said that should be racegoers’ number-one priority if their race day plan involves drinking alcohol.
“We want everyone enjoying the races to have a great day out, but more importantly we want everyone to make good choices and arrive home safely to their loved ones,” Ms Buckis said.
“In the excitement of the race day, it can be hard for people to keep track of how much alcohol they’ve consumed so the safest way is to completely separate drinking from driving.”
While it is legal to drive with a blood-alcohol level under .05, Ms Buckis said any level of alcohol in a person’s system impaired their judgment and their ability to drive safely.
Research shows drivers with a blood-alcohol level of .08 are five times more likely to have a crash than before they started drinking. At 0.12, their crash risk has increased tenfold.
“We know everyone will be planning how they’ll spend race day and if that plan involves drinking, it needs to include a safe way home,” Ms Buckis said.
At Cup meetings at Healesville and Yarra Glen, TAC staff will be set up at exit points and trackside providing free breath tests, tea, coffee, water and giving away Ticketek vouchers to those who have planned a safe way home.
A number of public transport options are available for racegoers. For more information contact the racing club (Healesville 0417 380 298) (Yarra Glen 9730 1332) or TAC on 1800 332 556.
