After Impact: Road Crash Survivors
After Impact: Road Crash Survivors tells the stories of seven road crash survivors from the Northern Territory (NT) and South Australia, taking a look at not only the physical consequences they’re facing as a result of their crash, but the financial, social and emotional impacts they must now live with.
After Impact is an initiative between the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics’ Road Safety team, the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre’s P.A.R.T.Y Program, the Motor Accident Compensation Commission and Recording Artists Athletes Against Drink Driving which takes a look at the hidden costs of road trauma.
Presented by Allison Langdon, this moving documentary aims to educate the community on the ‘hidden costs’ of road trauma and give viewers a better understanding of the potential consequences should they ever be a victim of a road crash. It highlights how the impact of road trauma on an individual extends to their families and support networks, first responders and witnesses, allied health professionals and beyond.
Shorter case studies focused on each crash survivor are being developed to support education at the senior school level, through both the Road Safety team and the P.A.R.T.Y. Program.
Background
Each year in the NT, an average of 500 people are seriously injured in a road crash, and approximately 40,000 nationally.
Each of the seven survivors in the documentary braves the memories of the crash that changed the course of their life, sharing their trauma in hope that viewers will learn something and in turn, make better choices on the road.
What you can do
Tips for staying safe on the road include, but are not limited to:
- if you’re going to drink, don’t drive. Plan ahead and organise a Sober Bob.
- always drive at or below the speed limit and at a speed that suits the road and current weather conditions.
- always wear your seatbelt and make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt.
- make sure all children are in a correctly fitted child restraint.
- as a driver, expect the unexpected and be vigilant when driving after dusk and before dawn.
- cross the road at the safest place or at a designated crossing.
- minimise distractions while you’re driving; turn off your phone, ensure pets are appropriately restrained, ask your passengers not to distract you and take a break and pull over rather than eating or drinking while driving.
- if you are transporting items in your tray or on a trailer, always tie down your load properly to ensure nothing flies out and becomes a hazard to other drivers.
- turn on your headlights when it is dark or when it’s raining.