The South Australia Police (SAPOL) has developed a new advertising campaign exposing the psychological and emotional scars left by the experience of killing a best mate.
SAPOL said its campaign featured a series of interviews with those affected by the 2009 death of 18-year-old Nicholas Holbrook, who was killed when the car he was a passenger in slammed into a tree on West Lakes Boulevard.
Police said the campaign, which was designed to highlight the long-lasting and far-reaching impact of road trauma events, included interviews with Nick’s parents, Glynis and Michael Holbrooks, first responders who attended the scene, and his best mate, Phillip, who was driving the car at high speed at the time of the crash.
Deputy Commissioner of SAPOL, Linda Williams said the emotional campaign was a stark reminder to all drivers that one irresponsible decision could affect many lives, forever.
“As well as depicting the mental prison that these people now live in, the campaign asks every South Australian a poignant question: What damage will your driving do?,” Deputy Commissioner Williams said.
“It warns that one stupid act on the road can cause life-long damage and nobody wants to live with that guilt,” she said.
Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Road Safety, Vincent Tarzia said the emotive and powerful content of real stories told by real people would reach drivers on different levels.
“Watching this campaign resonated with me on so many levels – as a father-to-be, a son, a brother, a friend. I can’t see a situation where people wouldn’t be affected in some way by these heartbreaking stories.
“It’s clear there is such thing as six degrees of road tragedy. You never know who your choice will impact.
Mr Tarzia said the campaign started being aired on TV from Sunday 1 August and would also appear on billboards, in shopping centres, online and on social media.
The SAPOL road safety campaign videos can be viewed on this PS News link.
