SHOPPERS and residents were reminded to take care on the roads over the Easter and school holiday break on Saturday March 28.
During peak shopping time, community volunteers arrived in their brightly coloured life-saving vehicles and parked up to participate in the Blessing of the Roads.
This event has been held in Donnybrook for a number of years to create awareness for road users to exercise courtesy, care and common sense when travelling on the roads during the Easter weekend; remember the family and friends of those who have died or been seriously injured in road crashes and provide an opportunity for them to encourage others to be more road safety aware and recognise the dedication and efforts of those, both full time and volunteers, who work towards reducing road trauma in Western Australia.
Long term community volunteer Gwendoline Nidd reminded those gathered to consider the trauma involved in road accidents to family members and the community at large and the shared responsibility everybody must accept.
Through a detailed account of the Road Trauma day run for year ten students at Donnybrook District High School, she brought to our attention the reality of road accidents within the Donnybrook and Balingup communities.
”Governments can legislate, we can build safer roads, police can enforce laws, we can buy safer cars and road safety groups can educate. But unless we, the community members make road safety our personal goal, we will continue to have families suffer the grief associated with the loss of life from car crashes,” Mrs Nidd said.
Local priests added strength to the message of road safety through the prayer, “give all road users a sense of responsibility toward others, that they may at all times show care, courtesy and consideration for others.”
Councillors Anne Mitchell and Angelo Logiudice called on everyone to be responsible for their actions when using the roads, turn off mobile phones before driving, travel at a safe speed, belt up, if you are drinking arrange a skipper, and take a break when driving long distances.
Emergency services volunteers and workers were blessed with the strength to deal with the aftermath of accidents, showered with thanks for all that they do and admired for their dedication.
