29/03/2026
"I remember Wednesday the 15th of November 2023 for all the wrong reasons. I was speaking on the 5AA breakfast show, about the impact of road trauma and its devastating effect. I reflected on how we have become desensitised to news reports of road fatalities and the harsh realities of each death hidden as just another number added to the 'road toll'.
I spoke about the crippling effect each fatality has on so many people - families, friends, work colleagues, teammates and other groups affected by the death of just one person. I also spoke about the impact road fatalities and serious injuries have on police and other emergency services workers, as well as our ambo's, nurses and doctors who treat the victims of road trauma.
It was a plea for everyone to take care, exercise vigilance, avoid bad decisions and not be complacent on our roads.
I didn't know then that my 18-year-old son was soon to become the 101st person to die on South Australian roads in 2023. On the Friday the 17th of November, just two days after pleading for more care on our roads, our family was devastated when Charlie was the victim of a ‘hit run’ collision.
We are forever different because of our loss, and we feel that loss EVERY - SINGLE - DAY. Me, his mum, his sister and brothers, his grandparents, uncles and aunts, his cousins, friends, workmates, footy teammates, and his school community - all forever changed by Charlie's death.
So far this year, road deaths have seen 28 families shattered by the loss of someone they loved. These people did not die in a “car accident" - these are not accidents. People are killed or seriously injured because of poor decision making, complacency, inattention or stupidity - they are all preventable.
So, if you are heading out on our roads this Easter, take a minute to think about consequences. It’s not just those who are killed or injured and their families who suffer – the person responsible must live with the life changing consequences of their actions – guilt, remorse, a criminal conviction, potential gaol time, fines and long-term licence disqualification.
Remind the people you love to take care and be careful. Dispel the notion that "it won't happen to me" because no one leaves home expecting to be involved in a fatal or serious injury collision.
You may have tuned out or ignored the pleas of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens for more care on our roads, but maybe you will pause and reflect on the words of Grant Stevens, a dad who misses his son."
