After many years writing and learning about road safety it’s something I feel deeply about and continue to focus on while on the road each day. I’m more aware as a driver than I was 10 years ago and I’m on a journey to become a good driver.
On Fatality Free Friday I walked down the street for my coffee like I do most days and bumped into one of the school Dads that I know. Our boys are best friends and his family is connected to mine.
During the usual pleasantries, he mentioned that his beloved VW Transporter dual cab truck was no more after a car accident. What a coincidence on Fatality Free Friday!
And this is where the story turns. It reminded me how important it is to share the message about road safety and for everyone in the fleet industry to take the pledge, and encourage friends, family and colleagues do the same.
My friend was parked on the side of the road, on a quiet street in the early afternoon before the traffic chaos of peak hour had started. He was getting something out of the glovebox while standing on the nature strip. A P plate driver in a dual cab ute ploughed into the rear of his VW Transporter and he was thrown from the vehicle and woke up 15-20 metres down the road with an ambulance officer kneeling over him.
The cause of the accident is being investigated. He believes the young driver was either on his phone, or had a micro-sleep. Either way there’s nothing he could have done differently prior to the incident, and was only talking to me because it wasn’t his time to leave this world.
No amount of vehicle safety technology (active or passive) could have changed this event. The driver of the vehicle was in control. Their choices and behaviour has contributed to an event that could have destroyed several families.
Thankfully my friend is recovering and he doesn’t appear to have any long term effects from the head injury. He is most upset about his practical, reliable and beloved T4 which he has nurtured throughout the years with regular maintenance and a few upgrades to make it more comfortable in a smartphone world.
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. So on Fatality Free Friday (and every other day of the year) take the pledge each time you get into a car.
Choose Road Safety by promising to:
- Always be fit to drive
- Stay focused on the road
- Scan the road ahead
- Keep a safe distance
- Drive to suit the conditions
