‘Pledge to drive so others survive’ the key message for National Road Safety Week

With the number of road crashes remaining high in the South West and Statewide, the messages for this year’s National Road Safety Week remain critically important. The topic is on the agenda this week, with the Road Safety Commission and Paraplegic Benefit Fund stating the causes of vehicle crashes and the way to prevent them have not changed. Paraplegic Benefit Fund spokesperson Tayla Stone said speaking about her spinal chord injury following a car crash with young people in the region created shock, as she works to spread the message of being safe behind the wheel all year-long. “I feel like the message I always share is so relevant because it’s not just this week, it’s every moment of your life,” she said. “We need to be so aware of what we’re actually doing to protect ourselves mentally, emotionally, and physically — It’s up to you to protect yourself and protect the people around you. “Unfortunately, there’s no cure for spinal cord injuries, so it stays with you for the rest of your life”. With 38 road crash deaths in regional WA this year, acting Road Safety Commissioner Rebecca Hamilton said every death was one too many and the community should ”pledge to drive so others survive”. “Here in Western Australia we have had a terrible start to this year — on the roads 64 people have died, this is much higher than the five-year average of 55 deaths for the same date,” she said. “One death is one death too many”. Ms Hamilton said car crashes should be thought about as crashes rather than accidents because they are avoidable. “I urge all drivers to take the time to think about the choices you are making behind the wheel, and pledge to make the safe choice” she said. “Make a conscious effort to slow down, to drive to the conditions, to put on your seatbelt and to put away your mobile phone”.