Road safety message brought home to Unity College students
A Metropolitan Fire Service member has urged teenaged drivers to stay safe on the road or face life-changing consequences.
If teenagers don’t listen to their own parents’ warnings about safe driving, the Metropolitan Fire Service hopes they will listen to another parent.
Michael Holbrook visited Murray Bridge’s Unity College earlier this month to share the story of his son Nick, who died in a road accident in Adelaide in 2009.
One of Nick’s mates was behind the wheel that night, but lost control at high speed and slammed into a tree.
“My son had his whole life ahead of him,” Mr Holbrook said.
“One moment of poor judgement by a driver behind the wheel took that all away, not just from him, but from everyone who loved him.
“I hope that by sharing my family’s story, I will inspire other young adults to make safer choices for them and their friends on the roads.”
Students also heard from firefighter Jarrad Stallard about the trauma he had experienced in responding to crashes.
They were warned not to take risks, such as speeding or driving while distracted, and to always wear a seatbelt.
If everyone listened to those messages, Mr Stallard said, the MFS would have to attend far fewer than 5000 crashes every year.
“We want everyone to be aware of the risks involved with being a road user and the dangers that face young people in the region,” he said.
“We’re not trying to discourage people from using the roads, we just want to help everyone recognise the risks and make informed decisions to stay safe.”
- More information: www.thinkroadsafety.sa.gov.au.
