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Awareness -> RE: The Australian commercial that was banned in the States. (12/19/2011 8:39:46 PM)
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It's not a single commercial. This is an amalgamation of 20 years worth of Transport Accident Commission commercials. They're usually shown after the watershed and always hit like a truck. Inevitably, they tend to show the irresponsible drinking behaviour, the light-hearted mood in the car, the sudden horror as it all turns to shit, the immediate aftermath of the accident, then the long-term outcomes for both the victim, their family and the drink-driver.
The actual commercials themselves are usually 30 seconds, but sometimes as long as a minute.
Anti drink-driving culture is strong in Australia - much stronger than here in New Zealand. Most social groups always have the expectation of a sober driver on a night out, or the willingness to call a cab.
However, while the statistics are roughly correct, the greatest, most dramatic result I've ever seen didn't come from commercials against drink-driving. On the contrary, one year saw a drop from roughly 750, to around 380. That's an almost 50% drop in traffic fatalities due to one simple measure.
Speed cameras.
Speed cameras cut the road toll almost in half. I thoroughly encourage their use. More than anything else, the introduction of speed cameras in Victoria has meant there are thousands of people who are still alive who would've died otherwise. Those people who rail against them simply want a license to be irresponsible and their arguments cut no ice with me.
Regardless, the TAC commercials are an important reminder to the populace of the consequences of their actions. Given the exceptionally high percentage of traffic accidents which are a result of speed or alcohol or both, attacking those two factors while modifying the culture is a good way forward.
For reference, the legal blood alcohol limit in Victoria for fully licensed drivers is 0.05%. For learners or probationary drivers, it's zero.
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