This powerful reminder about road deaths is hidden in a Christmas tree
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Content Warning: This article mentions drunk driving, road deaths, and road trauma, which may be upsetting for some readers. Discretion is advised.
Heading into the festive season is supposed to be a time when we can finally sit back, relax, laugh, and enjoy the warmth of family and friends.
It should be a joyful season—a time for celebration, a time of peace and giving.
However, this year brings a sobering reminder of road safety.
This year, a Christmas tree at the Victoria Police headquarters has been adorned with sparkling blue baubles, each one bearing the name and age of a person who was killed on Victorian roads in 2023.
This poignant display is not a festive celebration but a stark reminder of the road death carnage that has engulfed the state.
With 274 deaths as of 6 December 2023, it's the worst year for road fatalities in Victoria since 2008.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir has made a heartfelt appeal to the public to drive safely over the Christmas period to prevent any more baubles from being added to the tree.
'Unlike most Christmas trees, this is one we don't want to see decorated,' he said.
'Each bauble on this Christmas tree represents a life lost on our roads this year, with the name and age of the person that's lost their life.'
‘It’s a stark reminder of the importance of taking care on the roads. Our message is to please, drive safely this festive period.’
‘I’m really appealing to everyone between now and the end of the year to take care, [and] have conversations with your loved ones as they’re going out on the roads.’
‘If you’re in a car, you’ve got a responsibility to make sure you get to your destination safely,’ Weir urged.
Watch the video below:
The month of November was particularly devastating, with 35 lives lost on Victoria's roads, marking the worst month to date for this year.
In response to the escalating death toll, the police have announced they will conduct a number of road policing operations throughout December, aiming to reduce further road trauma.
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has also launched an initiative titled 'Stop kidding yourself. If you drink, don't drive,' running from 4 December to the end of January.
This campaign is a response to the alarming statistic that one in five people killed on Victorian roads had a blood alcohol concentration of .05 or higher.
In a similar light in NSW, an alarming report from the National Roads and Motorists’ Association found that 12 per cent of people, or over 1 in 10 drivers, have confessed to driving while intoxicated.
Another 17 per cent admitted they’ve driven while being over the legal blood alcohol limit.
Of those who confessed to drunk driving, 14 per cent had been previously caught by a Random Breath Testing (RBT) checkpoint.
TAC CEO Tracey Slatter emphasised the need for a cultural shift in attitudes towards drunk driving. She argued that it should not be considered 'normal' to drive after consuming any amount of alcohol.
'Many people think they can manage their blood-alcohol level by following a set of vague rules handed down through generations,' Slatter said.
'But the only way to avoid the risk entirely is to completely separate drinking and driving.'
The loss of a loved one in a road accident is a devastating event that leaves families and communities in mourning.
In a previous story, a tragic incident unfolded involving a 13-year-old boy who was reportedly behind the wheel of a stolen Mercedes-Benz. The resulting collision claimed the lives of three individuals.
Karl Stefanovic, the host of the Today show, expressed his dismay during the morning show in response to a tragic incident.
‘How many times do we need to report on stolen cars in Queensland? How many near misses? How many lives need to be irrevocably changed before we confront the reality that youth crime is out of control? Three innocent lives have been lost in a small country town where the impact will be felt for years to come,’ he said.
This outburst came after an emotional interview with victims of youth crime and their grieving families in a Today show segment.
Stefanovic was seen choking back tears while delivering this special report into the youth crime crisis that’s sweeping across the country. You can read more on this here.
The Christmas tree at the Victoria Police headquarters is a powerful symbol of the human cost of road accidents. It's a reminder that each statistic represents a person, a life cut short, and a family left to grieve. As we head into the festive season, let's remember the importance of road safety and do our part to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.
Our hearts go out to those who have lost their lives or have been affected by road trauma. Here at the SDC, we deeply understand the profound impact that incidents like these can have on individuals, families, and communities.
Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can improve road safety in the comments below.
Heading into the festive season is supposed to be a time when we can finally sit back, relax, laugh, and enjoy the warmth of family and friends.
It should be a joyful season—a time for celebration, a time of peace and giving.
However, this year brings a sobering reminder of road safety.
This year, a Christmas tree at the Victoria Police headquarters has been adorned with sparkling blue baubles, each one bearing the name and age of a person who was killed on Victorian roads in 2023.
This poignant display is not a festive celebration but a stark reminder of the road death carnage that has engulfed the state.
Victoria Police headquarters put several blue baubles on their Christmas tree as a reminder of road deaths rising in the state. Credit: Victoria Police
With 274 deaths as of 6 December 2023, it's the worst year for road fatalities in Victoria since 2008.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir has made a heartfelt appeal to the public to drive safely over the Christmas period to prevent any more baubles from being added to the tree.
'Unlike most Christmas trees, this is one we don't want to see decorated,' he said.
'Each bauble on this Christmas tree represents a life lost on our roads this year, with the name and age of the person that's lost their life.'
‘It’s a stark reminder of the importance of taking care on the roads. Our message is to please, drive safely this festive period.’
‘I’m really appealing to everyone between now and the end of the year to take care, [and] have conversations with your loved ones as they’re going out on the roads.’
‘If you’re in a car, you’ve got a responsibility to make sure you get to your destination safely,’ Weir urged.
Watch the video below:
The month of November was particularly devastating, with 35 lives lost on Victoria's roads, marking the worst month to date for this year.
In response to the escalating death toll, the police have announced they will conduct a number of road policing operations throughout December, aiming to reduce further road trauma.
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has also launched an initiative titled 'Stop kidding yourself. If you drink, don't drive,' running from 4 December to the end of January.
This campaign is a response to the alarming statistic that one in five people killed on Victorian roads had a blood alcohol concentration of .05 or higher.
Victoria road fatalities over the years. Credit: Seniors Discount Club
In a similar light in NSW, an alarming report from the National Roads and Motorists’ Association found that 12 per cent of people, or over 1 in 10 drivers, have confessed to driving while intoxicated.
Another 17 per cent admitted they’ve driven while being over the legal blood alcohol limit.
Of those who confessed to drunk driving, 14 per cent had been previously caught by a Random Breath Testing (RBT) checkpoint.
TAC CEO Tracey Slatter emphasised the need for a cultural shift in attitudes towards drunk driving. She argued that it should not be considered 'normal' to drive after consuming any amount of alcohol.
'Many people think they can manage their blood-alcohol level by following a set of vague rules handed down through generations,' Slatter said.
'But the only way to avoid the risk entirely is to completely separate drinking and driving.'
The loss of a loved one in a road accident is a devastating event that leaves families and communities in mourning.
In a previous story, a tragic incident unfolded involving a 13-year-old boy who was reportedly behind the wheel of a stolen Mercedes-Benz. The resulting collision claimed the lives of three individuals.
Karl Stefanovic, the host of the Today show, expressed his dismay during the morning show in response to a tragic incident.
TAC released a road campaign act to combat drunk driving. Credit: Transport Accident Commission
‘How many times do we need to report on stolen cars in Queensland? How many near misses? How many lives need to be irrevocably changed before we confront the reality that youth crime is out of control? Three innocent lives have been lost in a small country town where the impact will be felt for years to come,’ he said.
This outburst came after an emotional interview with victims of youth crime and their grieving families in a Today show segment.
Stefanovic was seen choking back tears while delivering this special report into the youth crime crisis that’s sweeping across the country. You can read more on this here.
The Christmas tree at the Victoria Police headquarters is a powerful symbol of the human cost of road accidents. It's a reminder that each statistic represents a person, a life cut short, and a family left to grieve. As we head into the festive season, let's remember the importance of road safety and do our part to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.
Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can improve road safety in the comments below.
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