SpeedBlitz Blues

The RTA has been the major sponsor of the SpeedBlitz Blues since the 2002/2003 cricket season. The sponsorship of the SpeedBlitz Blues is part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness about the consequences of speeding, and to change attitudes towards speeding.

‘On The Road’ – Schools Program

Statistics show that young people are overrepresented in speeding related crashes. Despite only 15 per cent of licence holders being aged under 26, this age group made up around 35 per cent of speeding drivers / riders involved in fatal crashes between 2008 and 2010.

The RTA leverages the sponsorship to target all drivers and particularly 17-25 year olds with road safety messages. The players are used as a well-respected, non-authoritative source – to make speeding socially unacceptable. In 2011 the RTA is attending a total of 18 schools and TAFES across NSW in both metro and regional areas to reach an estimated 10,680 young people to spread the message about the consequences of speeding. 

Students also have the opportunity to bowl two deliveries into a specially-erected cricket net, with their bowling speed recorded. Students bowl the first delivery as fast as they can and for the second ball, they are encouraged to 'Slow down and take control' and increase their accuracy, in the same way that you need to 'Slow down and take control' behind the wheel. They then receive a speeding ticket from a local police officer recording their bowling speed and bearing the message 'Make this the only speeding ticket you ever get'.

‘On The Road’ is a perfect resource to couple with traditional teaching methods of road safety through physical education classes. All you need to provide is a hall, power and students. If you would like to get your high school/TAFE involved in a free road show please e-mail Daniel Rowe, Sponsorship Coordinator at Daniel_Rowe@rta.nsw.gov.au with details about your school.

Slow Down Pledge

The RTA utilise the status of the cricketers to promote the Slow Down Pledge – a online campaign that encourages all motorists to slow down and passengers to not get in a vehicle with a driver that speeds.  High profile players such as Brett Lee, Phillip Hughes, Stuart Clark, David Warner and Steve Smith have all taken the pledge. You can also take the pledge by going to www.slowdownpledge.com.au

The SpeedBlitz Blues players are also involved in taking the anti-speeding message to the broader community through our ‘Slow Down Road Shows’. This community event has visited shopping centres around the State as well as selected SpeedBlitz Blues cricket matches.

For more details on the team go to: www.nswblues.com.