Darwin Cup Carnival racegoers urged to go home safely

Darwin Cup Carnival racegoers who don’t plan ahead can leave their car at the track safely if they have a few drinks.

TIO is again sponsoring the provision of overnight security at the Darwin Turf Club as an initiative under its PartySafe road safety program.

The program raises awareness of the dangers of drink driving and encourages Territorians who have a few drinks to find alternative ways to get home.

TIO Community Relations Manager Chris Thiel said the car park security was one of a number of measures to give people peace of mind.

“Our aim is not to stop people having a good time but to make the right choices before getting behind the wheel,” she said.

“If they know their vehicle is going to safe if they leave it overnight, they will be more likely to leave it there and find another way home.”

The PartySafe program has teamed up with Darwin Cup Carnival since 2009 to drive home the road safety message.

On Darwin Cup Day the PartySafe tent will be at the races offering free breath testing and advice on getting home safely.

Partysafe heads bush for first time

TIO’s Partysafe program promoting anti drink driving messages is heading bush for the first time.

TIO will be taking Partysafe and its broader road safety program to the Borroloola Show in a partnership with AFLNT and McArthur River Mining.

NT Thunder CEO Jarred Ilett, player Jack McEwin and AFLNT sponsorship manager Brad Stewart will also conduct a “Always Wear a Seatbelt” footy clinic for local kids as part of the event.

TIO Indigenous Community Engagement Officer Mike North said it would be the first time the Partysafe program would be held in a remote Territory community.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to reach out with this important message in Borroloola,” Mike said.

“When McArthur River Mining approached us about getting together to promote road safety we jumped at the chance.”

Partysafe is an educational program which aims to reduce the incidence of drink driving among Territorians. It teaches people that if they do have a few drinks, they should find a safe way to get home.

In addition to providing activities that demonstrate that message, TIO will also be promoting messages around wearing seat belts and not sleeping on roads.

McArthur River Mining will make road safety a central theme of its show display and will be running a colouring-in and poster competition on this theme. The winning entries will be turned into road safety posters for display in local communities.

AFLNT partners with TIO on a range of road safety programs. In addition to helping sell the road safety message in Borroloola, Jarred Ilett, Jack McEwin and Brad Stewart will run a footy clinic for local kids.

Borroloola Show is being held Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June. The footy clinic will be held on Friday from 10am while the Partysafe tent will be operating throughout the show.