News

Tell them they're bloody idiots

Thu February 23, 2012 5:53am

YOUNG women are being urged to speak out against bad drivers in a bid to reduce the number of seriously injured female passengers.

The launch of an RAA campaign called SUMOFO - Speak Up Mates Others Family Ourselves - has used 267 shoes to show students the consequences of not speaking up.

In 2010, 267 young female passengers were seriously injured in South Australian crashes.

Campaign ambassador Mel Greig said women didn't speak up because it didn't look cool to be a party-pooper.

"Don't be afraid to speak up, say `slow down'," she said.

RAA SUMOFO team member Jessica Lamont said it was important for young females to take control of their safety.

"Young female drivers can actually influence male drivers to drive safer  and save their life," she said. "It's not really the done thing to say to people slow down or don't drive in that manner, so we are just hoping to get it out there (for people) to speak up."

RAA public affairs general manager Penny Gale said people travelling in the front passenger seat were the most likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash.

"The reality is that road crashes are the lead ing cause of death for people under the age of 25," she said.

"If you'd tell a friend to stay away from a sleazy guy or that their make-up is terrible, then why not speak up and tell them when to slow down?"