Sunday, 21 November 2021, marked the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims with an event hosted by Injury Matters in Crawley. Key road safety figures gathered to pay respects to those who were killed or injured on Western Australian roads and share their perspective on the future of road
safety.
This annual event stands to recognise the far-reaching impact road trauma has on individuals, families, communities, witnesses, emergency and medical personnel.
This years’ message of we do not want more victims to remember, but to live our lives together reminds all road users of their role in keeping our roads safe in remembrance of those lost or injured on them.
The Honourable Paul Papalia CSC MLA, officially opened the memorial event, the first in his role as Minister for Road Safety. WA Chapter Chair of Australasian College of Road Safety, Teresa Williams, and Western Australian Police Chaplain, Paul Trimble, shared their personal reflections on road trauma were joined by key road safety stakeholders and community members to commemorate the day.
There have been 147 deaths on WA roads already this year, with countless more seriously injured and affected.
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims provides a platform to Remember Support and Act for those directly impacted by road trauma.
Being directly involved in, first on scene or witness to a road crash can have a traumatic and lasting impact. This extends to family, friends, work colleagues and our emergency service personnel.
We don’t want to see more people impacted by road trauma, we want to work together to reduce road trauma and support people in their recovery. We need to act alongside those directly impacted, our emergency services, advocates and road safety professionals to prevent road trauma from occurring and support those affected to prevent further harm.
Adriana Evans, Janet Powell-Jones, Allison Hass (SDERA), and Sharon Knapp (One Mum’s Story) 
Christine Smith Hon. Paul Papalia Paul Trimble 
Paul Trimble. Sandy Lukjanowski, Iain Cameron, Christine Smith, Paul Papalia, and Teresa Williams Teresa Williams 
Naomi Powell, Deon Brink, and Jilly Smith 
Christine Smith and Teresa Williams 
Hon. Paul Papalia, Ally White, and Kelly Irwin 
Janet Humphreys and Alan Jennings (Key2 Creative) 
Kati Kraszlan 
Iain Cameron, Hon. Paul Papalia, and Teresa Williams 
Jon Broomhall (DFES) and Emily Anderson
Injury Matters urge all road users to be mindful of their speed this holiday season.
This time of year can mean extra travel, events and stress. Research shows that for every 5km/h increase in travelling speed in a 60km/h zone, the risk of being injured in a crash doubles.
Drive safely this holiday, WA.
Please note our offices are closed from the end of day Friday, 24 December 2021 and reopening on Tuesday, 4 January 2022 as our team enjoy time with their loved ones.
If you need extra support this season, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14.