Tuesday, 11th February 2020

 The Andrews Labor Government is calling for community groups and councils from across Victoria to apply for grants to boost road safety awareness in their local area.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said that applications for this year’s $1.5 million Community Road Safety Grants Program are now open.

The grants program will support a range of road safety education programs and initiatives that target cyclists, pedestrians, drivers and passengers, and motorcyclists.

Funding is also available to support electronic speed signs, road safety banners and mobile billboards that communicate specific messages to road users at locations identified by local communities.

Last year grants were provided to 57 recipients including councils, schools and not-for-profit organisations to deliver 190 projects promoting road safety.

A successful recipient last year was Gippsland Bike Ed Challenge. The Bike Ed program runs in primary schools across Victoria to help prepare students to ride safely on roads. The Gippsland Bike Ed Challenge was funded through the Andrews Labor Government’s Community Road Safety Grants Program with Latrobe City Council hosting the Regional Bike Ed Challenge at its Traffic School facility.

The challenge saw students use skills developed in the Bike Ed program to complete a circuit of activities based on balance and control. Riders had to demonstrate how to correctly turn at traffic lights and a roundabout while scanning, signalling and giving way.

Other successful applications included programs to boost pedestrian safety around schools.

Applications for the grants are now open and will close on Wednesday 11 March.

For more information go to vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-safety-programs.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

 “We know that delivering effective road safety education and awareness requires a number of different approaches that are tailored to specific communities’ and road users’ needs.”

“I encourage councils, schools and community groups across Eastern Victoria to apply for these grants, which may very well save lives.”