The statistics don’t lie. Road deaths and trauma are dramatically on the increase. The latest statistics reveal Victoria’s road toll for under 30’s is up over 400 per cent, making now the time to take a stand. Road trauma has also made a significant rise from 5,996 back in 13-14 up to 7,861 last financial year. That’s a lot of people that no one ever hears about. We hear news stories daily that they’re serious but stable, but stable can mean many months and in some cases years of physiotherapy and rebuilding their lives. In some cases, Acquired Brain Injuries and disablement stopping victims getting back to normal lives ever again. Which is why I’ve created 12 road safety tips to help this festive season
Road trauma is more than a stable condition.
As you know, myself and my team at Drive Skills 4 Life, we support road trauma victims and assists in helping them get back on the road, sometimes having to alter how they drive. Sarah sees road trauma victims regularly and hears the horror stories of what happens beyond the serious but stable news report.
We need to ask ourselves, why does the road toll and trauma continue to happen? What can we do to reduce it?
How to reach our destination in one piece.
This holiday season let’s make a concerted effort to take our time getting to our destination in one piece. Disregard the clock. Ways this can happen are:
Take regular breaks along the journey
- Have your favourite tunes organised on your devices to keep you listening and Bluetooth your devices to avoid distractions
- Pack snacks if you don’t find a rest reviver site – this ensures keeping stomach rumbles at bay
- Play car games. Get the kids to keep a chart of all the different colour cars they see
- Share the driving. One person does not need to do it all
- If you’re towing trailers or vans, ensure all your lights are working
- Encourage any learners ready for freeway driving to do some time (ensure supervising driver is alert at all times)
- Don’t speed or tailgate and ensure safe gaps between vehicles.
- Check your tyre pressures before heading out
- Ensure wiper washer bottle is full
- Car is serviced and roadworthy
- And lastly, leave yourself plenty of time to get there!
This will be with me for the remainder of my days.
I’ve has seen the impact that road trauma can have on family through losing a friend myself many years ago, and encourage everyone to try and avoid this scenario. Infact, one of my current clients Marianne quotes, “my car accident was a moment in time that I can never change, through the fault of someone else and will now impact my family and I for the remainder of my days”.
Let’s give ourselves the gift of time this Summer season to reach our destinations safely so we can have fun in the sun and share the joy with our loved ones.
Want to learn more, have a look around at www.driveskills4life.com.au or give me a call for a confidential chat at 0422 765 843.
Until next time, have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and we’ll see you in 2020!
