Frequent road traffic incidents in Western Australia have a significant impact on the entire community. If these incidents are portrayed in a sensational or negative manner, it can have an adverse effect on the attitudes of various individuals involved in the incident, including first responders, families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones who are still coping with the aftermath.
So how can you report road traffic incidents in a manner that is respectful to those impacted and has a positive effect on road safety efforts, while meeting your copy deadline? Read on.
Simple word choices in your story can make a difference
You know language is powerful. The words we choose to communicate when there has been a crash make a big difference to the way road crashes are considered by the community, your audience.
By switching out words such as “car accident” and replacing them with “road crash” or “incident,” you remove the implication that the event happened spontaneously, without reason or human intervention.
Similarly, using sanitised words like “road toll” or “statistics” can remove the reality that each person killed on our roads had a full life. Consider using “road deaths,” fatalities or injuries to refer to the loss on our roads so your audience does not lose sight of the tragic reality of road crashes.
Always include help-seeking information
In the same way help-seeking information is uniformly provided on news stories regarding suicide or self-harm, make sure to include this information when reporting on road crashes or trauma.
Stories about road trauma can affect your audience, particularly those previously affected by past road crashes or incidents. By including help-seeking information, your story can help to normalise help-seeking behaviours that may help create positive change in the community.
Try using the below tagline from Road Trauma Support WA:
If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814.
Examples:
Keep to the facts
Just like reporting any tragic occurrence, it is vital to present road traffic incident reports in proper context, with only factual and precise information included.
Leave the drama to the comments section. A fair and unbiased depiction of the incident will ensure your audience is informed, but not triggered, by your story. Leave out details that may identify those involved, counterfactual statements and statements that undermine the tragedy of the situation.
Remember, road crashes are not simply road traffic delays.
We’re here to support your story
Injury Matters encourages you to reduce the impact of road trauma and support those affected by road traffic incidents through your reporting practices.
Expert comments can provide additional road safety and trauma support messaging for your story. Our representatives are open to comment – please submit an enquiry, or call us on (08) 6166 7688 to discuss your report.
Reporting Road Traffic Incidents Resource
Need more information or want a handy desk reminder? Download our full Reporting Road Traffic Incidents Resource, poster or factsheet below.
