Emergency service personnel who have to deal too often with road trauma spoke about their experiences during a Blessing of the Roads event in Noranda on Tuesday.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services station officer Chris Sharman said firefighters attended road crashes almost daily.
He said the consequences of being distracted while driving, even for a second, could be deadly.
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READ NOW‘We remove people’s broken bodies from their cars,’ he said.
‘We leave the scene of a car accident hearing the victim’s screams ringing in our ears and the smell of the fuel spilt over the road.’
West Metro Traffic First Class Constable and mother of two Jodi Love said she knew all too well of the consequences a lapse in concentration while driving could have.
‘During my career I have had to knock on many doors and give family members the tragic news that they’ve lost a loved one,’ she said.
‘People need to realise that being distracted while driving has a ripple affect.’
Ms Love said road users should plan their journey and take the time to arrive safely at their destination.
Those who have been making a difference on local roads were acknowledged and presented with RoadWise Human Spirit awards last week for their commitment to road safety by working together to save lives and reduce road trauma in WA.
The City of Bayswater presented traffic warden Jan Beckman and city senior ranger Ray McArthur with awards, while the recipients of the City of Stirling awards were Yuluma Primary School parents and citizens president Amanda Vanderputten, and road safety group representative Lynette Chester.
Rotary Club of Swan Districts vice-president Peter Perich and director Peter Brown and Cycle Safety founder Trevor Quick received a City of Swan award.