The Andrews Labor Government, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and Museums Victoria are partnering to create a world leading Road Safety Education Complex at the Melbourne Museum in Carlton.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan today announced the location for the complex, a cornerstone of the Government’s $146 million Young Driver Safety Package.
The complex will feature the latest in visual and digital technology to help students and the wider community understand their own vulnerability and the choices they need to make to stay safe on the roads.
On top of promoting safe driving choices, the complex will illustrate new technology and thinking that will help Victoria achieve its Towards Zero vision, including driverless vehicle technology and cutting edge safe road infrastructure.
It will become the permanent home to Graham, Victoria’s world-famous sculpture depicting how humans might look if they had evolved to survive road crashes.
More than 20,000 secondary students are expected to visit the complex in its first year. The complex will also be open to the general public and host international road safety delegations when not in use by secondary students.
A regional outreach program will also be developed to cater for students across the state who are unable to easily access the complex in central Melbourne.
TAC research shows young drivers aged 18 to 25 are among the most vulnerable on our roads, accounting for 21 per cent of fatalities last year.
Construction and detailed development of the complex is scheduled to commence in April and the complex is expected to be open to the public in mid-2018.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“We want to create a new generation of safe young drivers – that’s why we’re using the latest visual and digital technology to help them understand the choices they need to make to stay safe.”
“Students will be able to experience a virtual trip down a road of the future – one that’s fitted with all the latest safety features to protect them from serious injury when they make a mistake.”
Quotes attributable to Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore
“Young drivers remain sadly over represented in road trauma so it’s critical that we find new ways to get them thinking about safety before getting their licence.”
“Young people learn best when the material is presented in an interactive and engaging way and that’s what this complex will deliver.”
Quotes attributable to Melbourne Museum Manager Gordon White
“Melbourne Museum has always been known as a world leader in exhibition development and education.”
“This new complex is an exciting opportunity for us to help expand our mission – to educate and inspire – in a way that will directly connect with such an important issue as road safety.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020