Car park boom gates carry safety message

18/7/01
Car park boom gates around the city will now provide motorists with a timely reminder on road safety.
Announcing the new display, the Minister responsible for Road Safety, Michelle Roberts, said it was an innovative way in which to reinforce road safety messages to Western Australian motorists.
Ms Roberts said the new concept would complement current media advertising campaigns.
"Approximately 335,000 people per week will see the boom gate banners as they drive in and out of city car parks," she said.
The Minister said this was the first time that Perth car park boom gates would be used for advertising and the Road Safety Council would closely monitor the success of the program.
"As with all road safety advertising campaigns, we will evaluate the boom gate banners and if they are effective then the program will be expanded into other areas," she said.
Mrs Roberts said the first phase of the campaign would involve a drink-driving message.
"Alcohol is one of the biggest contributors to road crashes in WA, with more than a quarter of all fatal crashes involving a driver or rider who is over the legal limit of 0.05," she said.
The Minister said the Government believed car park boom gate advertising could be an important contributor towards influencing people not to drink and drive.
"When you see the drink-driving message on the way into the car park, we hope it will influence you to keep a check on the amount of alcohol you drink," she said.
"If you drink enough to put yourself over the limit, we want you to consider yourself and your passengers, leave your car in the car park and find another way to get home.
"Drinking and driving is simply not worth the risk of killing yourself or someone else."
Media contact: Mark Thompson - 9213 6600