NATIONAL Road Safety Week founder Peter Frazer OAM, says he was surprised by the number of people affected by road accidents during his visit to Coffs Harbour.
As president of the Safer Australian Roads and Highways Group (SARAH), Mr Frazer has been conducting an East Coast roadshow to present facts and figures about safe driving and the number of deaths caused by avoidable road accidents.
“Usually I find myself chatting with someone who has lost a relative through a road accident once a week; this week it’s been daily that someone has shared their story of loss in this way,” he told News Of The Area.
Sarah was also the name of Mr Frazer’s 23-year-old daughter, who was killed in a road accident on the Hume Highway in 2012.
“I don’t want any other family, friend or professional network, or community, to experience the loss we went through when we lost our darling Sarah.
“She never leaves our hearts or minds for a minute and in Road Safety Week we are asking people to be aware of their own behaviour on the roads to make it safer for everyone.”
The National Road Safety Week campaign, which ran from 11-18 May, asked every Australian to drive as if a loved one was on the road ahead.
“It is intolerable that so many lives are lost each year,” Mr Frazer said.
“Last year 1300 Australians lost their lives and more than 40,000 were seriously injured and required hospitalisation.
“All these lives and those of their families and loved ones are irreversibly damaged, or wholly changed, in so many different ways.
“We have to recognise the vast majority of these crashes occur in circumstances that are completely avoidable.”
Mr Frazer urges unity within communities to make our roads safer, “as every death or serious injury is one too many”.
Along with safety measures undertaken by the federal, state and local governments and emergency services, “every one of us using the road needs to check our own behaviour and be a better driver, rider, cyclist, passenger or pedestrian every time we are on the road.
“Our road rules are there to keep us safe.
“We can choose to stop being distracted by phones, to stop speeding, and not drive or ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Your life and the lives of all those around you on the road are in your hands and directly affected by your decisions.”
For more information and to take the driver’s pledge, go to roadsafetyweek.com.au/.
By Andrea FERRARI
