This National Road Safety Week (May 11-18), we ask every Australian to commit to “Drive So Others Survive!”, and our reason is simple:
“Everyone has a right to get home safe to their loved ones … every day … no exceptions!
It’s a straightforward but powerful call. By choosing to “Drive So Others Survive!”, we’re not only protecting everyone on the road ahead, but we’re also protecting ourselves and those waiting at home. And it’s not just a slogan… it’s a daily reminder that every decision behind the wheel matters.
Whether it’s our position in the lane, the distance we keep, the speed we choose, not driving under the influence, our commitment to staying focused and undistracted, or even small acts of patience when others put us at risk, our choices can prevent serious injuries … even save lives.
Some of you may have heard the story of my 23-year-old daughter, Sarah Frazer who was indeed the essence of kindness, intelligence, determination, and humour. A young woman dedicated to helping those who are vulnerable, whether volunteering with St Vincent de Paul at high school, reading to the elderly or sick in aged care homes, and caring as a volunteer for orphaned kids overseas.
But while I respected her choices, as a “standard dad”, all I wanted her to do is start her course, get a job and one day, settle down. But for five years Sarah kept deferring her course while she went off looking after others.
So, you can imagine how relieved I was when she decided to finally start her uni course in Wagga Wagga.
So, on February 15, 2012, Sarah started her drive down the Hume highway heading for Charles Sturt. However, just 90 minutes into that journey, her radiator failed. As the car overheated, she lost power, power steering and brakes, and so without options, she had to pull over where she could.
But where her car broke down, that emergency lane was just 1.5 metres wide with a barrier beside that ran for 1600 metres and on the other side of the barrier were brambles.
Sarah literally couldn’t get her car, or herself, out of the 110km/h lane because the RTA had chosen to prioritise vehicle movement over anyone who found themselves in harm’s way.
Sarah was now the ultimate vulnerable road user. She called me, but rang my work mobile, which I had turned off during a meeting. She was crying as she left her voicemail:
“Dad… cars and trucks are speeding past just centimetres from my car… No one is changing lanes away from me… I’m terrified they’ll hit me. I rang the NRMA. Dad, please call me!”
Not long after she sent that message, a young man driving an 8-tonne Pantech decided to be distracted and for more than 300 metres he chose not to look ahead.
Had he done so, he would have seen Sarah’s broken-down car with flashing indicators, and the tow truck with the warning lights and headboard arrow flashing to move over and give them space.
But that young guy decided that being distracted was more important than the safety of the towie hooking up Sarah’s vehicle, or the young woman who was just starting in life. He drove directly in to them killing both and leaving Sarah in pieces on the Hume Freeway.
I often find it hard to carry on but Sarah’s dedication to those who had no one to advocate for them remains my daily inspiration. I carry her in my heart wherever my road safety travels take me.
So, if this is my experience, why am I writing this article for Big Rigs.
It’s because I believe in you as an experienced and expert driver, and I believe in my two sons who drive heavy vehicles, one with a HC, and the other with a HR licence. I believe that every kilometre driven with care in our industry bring all of us closer to reuniting with our loved ones.
And I know that this is the mindset for the vast majority of truckies. It just part of their daily professionalism, the pride in their work, and the personal care that they show to others that they will likely never meet. So that’s why I am an advocate for you and this industry.
A few days ago, I had the pleasure of again working closely with one of our National Road Safety Principal Partners, indeed, one of our great industry leaders, Australia’s Toll Group.
I had the opportunity of doing some of my most important work – toolbox presentations with their drivers, and I say “with”, not “to”, their drivers because it is my privilege to hear directly from them, and to hear their ideas on how we can work together to make our roads safer.
In closing, I want to especially thank Toll for its leadership and support of that little event we created, Australia’s National Road Safety Week.
So next time you see a Toll truck or prime mover proudly displaying the “Drive So Others Survive!” yellow sticker, know that from the driver to the MD, they have made an active commitment to do their utmost to “Get Everyone Home Safe … Every day … No Exceptions!”
Make your pledge to “Drive So Others Survive!” at roadsafetyweek.com.au.
About the author: Peter Frazer, President of SARAH Group, has over 40 years’ experience in economic analysis, research, law enforcement & compliance policy, investigations, strategic & operational intelligence, and project management as well as social justice advocacy.