Ryan Fernie, Michelle Roberts and Kim Papalia.
Camera IconRyan Fernie, Michelle Roberts and Kim Papalia. Credit: Supplied/Office of Road Safety

Blessing of the Roads: annual Easter long weekend safety awareness campaign begins

Belinda CiprianoStirling Times

THE cities of Stirling, Joondalup and Swan came together to mark the annual Blessing of the Roads campaign at the Herb Graham Recreation Centre in Mirrabooka last Friday.

Road Trauma Support WA’s acting manager Ryan Fernie joined Minister for Police and Road Safety Michelle Roberts and Road Safety Commissioner Kim Papalia to raise awareness about road safety in the lead in to the Easter long weekend.

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Mr Fernie said the day was a great opportunity for key industry partners and the broader community to get together to promote safer driving habits and to remind everyone that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

“Traditionally Easter is a time when families are getting in cars and travelling long distances where things like speed, fatigue and poor driving conditions may be a factor,” he said.

“The Blessing of the Roads is aligned with WA’s road safety strategy 2008-2020, which has a long term vision of achieving a transport system where crashes resulting in death or serious injury are virtually eliminated.”

Mr Fernie said the service supported West Australians impacted by road trauma and the day was a significant opportunity to remind everyone about some of the basic rules of road safety.

“Sadly, in the course of our day-to-day work we see far too many families, individuals and emergency services workers who have been impacted by road trauma and who are forever forced to live with the consequences,” he said.

“If events like these can save even a single life then I think it is a very worthwhile exercise.”