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TAC Puts Victorian Road Safety Experts On The World Stage

29 August 2018

The Transport Accident Commission is taking its world-renowned road safety expertise and social insurance model to the world stage, with the establishment of TAC International.

Minister for Finance Robin Scott today joined TAC CEO Joe Calafiore to officially launch TAC International, which has been developed with a $500,000 commitment to the TAC by the Andrews Labor Government.

TAC International has an initial focus on the Asia Pacific region with low or no cost advice to countries wanting to address their road trauma issues, helping lower-middle income countries address the trauma and cost of road crashes in their jurisdictions.

TAC International will work with Governments and industry bodies to offer an advisory service that can provide access to a network of road safety professionals and to provide advice on injury insurance claims as well as managing liability to deliver a sustainable scheme.

Last month, TAC representatives were invited to present to high-level Thai Government officials about the Victorian approach to road safety, and how TAC International could provide long-term support to Thailand, where 22,000 people die in road crashes each year.

This annual road fatality rate of approximately 34 people per 100,000 vehicles is the second highest in the world, compared with four people per 100,000 vehicles in Victoria, one of the lowest jurisdictions in the world.

TAC International’s launch follows the official opening of the $56-million Road to Zero road safety education complex at Melbourne Museum, where TAC can showcase international visitors and delegations its road safety expertise and transport accident insurance.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Robin Scott

“We’re backing the TAC to develop an international arm to help overseas jurisdictions that are struggling with the social and financial burden of road trauma.”

“The TAC holds a wealth of knowledge – gained through decades of providing care to people injured in road accidents.”

Quotes attributable to TAC Chief Executive Officer Joe Calafiore:

“Each year, around 1.25 million people lose their lives on the world’s roads and another 20 to 50 million are seriously injured.”

“Through our work both nationally and internationally, we have recognised an urgent need for a united, global-approach to reducing road trauma and caring for victims of road crashes.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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