Bunbury launches festive season road safety campaign

Community members, industry leaders and government representatives gathered at Bunbury’s Centenary Gardens on Tuesday to launch the Industry Road Safety Alliance’s annual Christmas Road Safety campaign.

Hosted this year by the City of Bunbury, the campaign is aimed at reminding all road users to stay safe on the roads over the holiday period.

Winners of the alliance’s Creative Road Safety Challenge were also announced at the event, and guest speaker Tarryn Sanford from Heart Hub South West shared a personal story about the lasting effects road trauma can have on those left behind.

Mrs Sanford’s life was changed forever in 2017 when her 18-year-old son Jack died in a car crash near their hometown Collie.

“20 seconds and 700m was all it took for Jack’s life to be over,” Mrs Sanford said at the launch.

“Road trauma affects not only families who have lost someone, it also affects friends left behind and the first responders who arrive at the scene.”

She reinforced the alliance’s message for the day, that “road trauma is preventable”.

Alliance members include WA Police, Main Roads, the Road Safety Commission as well as local governments and industries in the South West.

Alliance chairman Michael Hay urged road users to think about the reasons they should drive safely.

“This Christmas period, when you get behind the wheel, what are you going to be thinking about?” Mr Hay said.

“If you thought about the people you love, would you make better driving decisions?”

Mr Hay said every festive season was unfortunately marred by road tragedies.

“Every Christmas and New Year, lives are lost or shattered as people hit the road to make the most of the extended break,” he said.

“If you’re planning on travelling this holiday period, make sure you’ve had enough rest, buckled up, said no to drinks and drugs, and drive to the speed limit and conditions.

“Let’s all aim for zero road trauma this holiday period.”