Behind every fatality and serious injury statistic, there are thousands of stories. The ARSF strives to provide support and understanding to ultimately assist road trauma victims to begin to heal.
The stories shared on the map below, are from those who have been personally affected by road trauma and highlight the devasting ripple effect on families, emergency services and the wider community.
If you would like to share your story, please contact us here.
The following is a list of suggested organisations that provide counselling, support groups or referral services:
- Griefline – 1300 845 745
Free phone support services, nationwide, 7 days a week. - Road Trauma Support Group NSW – 1800 808 384
Hosts monthly peer-support group meetings and offers referrals to support and counselling services. - Road Trauma Support WA – 1300 004 814
Provides free personalised counselling, information, resources and education. - The Compassionate Friends – 1300 064 068
24/7 grief telephone support for bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings from trained volunteers. - Lifeline – 13 11 14
24/7 telephone crisis line and online crisis support. - Amber Community – 1300 367 797
Formerly Road Trauma Support Services Victoria. - Kids Help Line – 1800 551 800
24/7 online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.
Road Trauma Stories
Click below to hear their stories.
Chelsea shares the story of her brother, Koby and the impact road trauma had on her family and community. Her message is simple – focus on the road and get home to your loved ones safely.
Kent Payne shares the story of his 18 year old son Harrison, who set out on a fun beach drive with friends but sadly did not make it home. The Payne family hope sharing their story helps to reduce the impacts of road trauma.
Patty’s son, Jayden, would never have thought the choice to get into a car with a drunk driver would be his last. Left to pick up the pieces, his family hopes that sharing his story drives change behind the wheel.
Michael Stewart, a police officer of 24 years, had picked up the pieces for countless fatal crashes. But to be on the receiving end of news that his 18 year old son, Jaylan, was killed at high speed, changed his life forever.
Nigel & Jody Smith share the story of their son, Lachlan. He was a passenger in a car when he was killed at high speed. A promising young life was tragically taken too soon, and a community of loving family and friends left behind to deal with the unthinkable heartache.
Jessica Hargraves bravely shares the tragic story of losing her husband, James in a car accident in the hopes that all road users will understand – these are not just road trauma numbers, these are lives.
Elise Kennedy was just 20 years old when her life was altered forever. Confined to a wheelchair because of one person’s individual decision, Elise now advocates to prevent further stories like hers as an ambassador for P.A.R.T.Y (Preventing Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth).
After tragically losing her 17-year-old daughter in a car crash in 2020, Brisbane mum Kellie Postle is bravely speaking out ahead of Fatality Free Friday. Together, we can stop devastating circumstances like this from happening again.
Tim & Tegan share the agony of watching helplessly in the rear-view mirror as their eight-year-old daughter was killed in a car that flipped and rolled behind them. They share their story in the hope of saving other families from the devastating effects of road trauma.
Michelle Underhill’s life changed forever after tragically losing her four-year-old daughter, Elle, to road trauma in 2015. Please, take the #ChooseRoadSafety pledge and live the pledge each time you get behind the wheel, so we can prevent devastating circumstances like this happening again.
On May 29 2020, Adrian Barnett lost his 21-year-old daughter, Emily, in a tragic car crash on a rural road outside of Rockhampton. The Barnett family is passionate about sharing Emily’s story to raise awareness of the devastating impacts that road trauma has on families, friends and communities. This is their story.
Nick Bell is a first responder with more than 30 years experience in the Fire & Rescue Service and has been heavily involved in critical incident response throughout his career. Nick shares his personal story and the realities of road trauma with us this Rural Road Safety Month.
Road trauma does not discriminate. Less than six months ago, Roxanne Arnold’s 41-year-old husband, Steve, was tragically killed in a road accident outside Sydney.
We remember the 1,195 people who tragically lost their lives on Australian roads in 2019 through our digital mosaic artwork that features 1,195 images of everyday people including families of road trauma victims, first responders, community road safety advocates and those directly affected by road trauma.
In 2012, Melissa and Peter McGuinness’s 18-year-old son, Jordan, was speeding and under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he drove his car into a stationary vehicle. His choices killed four young victims in the other car and also himself. For further information behind this story, please visit You Choose Youth Road Safety
For further information behind this story, please visit Blue Datto Foundation
For further information behind this story, please visit Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation
For further information behind this story, please visit Driver Fatigue Awareness
For further information behind this story, please visit Georgina Josephine Foundation