A new mini-documentary series from Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is showcasing the importance of teamwork and good decisions on and off the rugby field.
Deputy Secretary of Safety, Environment and Regulation at TfNSW, Tara McCarthy said the Building the Blues three-part series, released in partnership with the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues team, was part of Transport’s successful Knock-On Effect campaign.
“Teamwork and good decision-making skills are important for both winning a game and keeping our roads safe,” Ms McCarthy said.
“We must all do our part to keep our roads safe by making good decisions to help ourselves and others arrive safely to their destinations,” she said.
“Speeding, fatigue, and drink driving are three leading causes of death and injuries on NSW roads.”
Ms McCarthy said that between 2016 and 2020, speeding, drink driving, and fatigue contributed to about 57 per cent of deaths and 34 per cent of serious injuries on NSW roads.
She said that so far this year, 83 people had lost their lives in crashes in which at least one of the three was a contributing factor.
The mini-documentary series features Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues Coach, Brad Fittler and Advisor, Greg Alexander, who lost a close friend and brother, Ben Alexander, in a drink driving-related crash in 1991.
Mr Fittler (pictured) said speeding, drink driving, and fatigue were things people could control with good decisions.
“We used to drink-drive and speed, and sadly that killed my best mate,” Mr Fittler said.
“When I look back, I realise I am lucky not to have the same fate,” he said.
“The most intelligent people are those who can learn from other people’s mistakes.”
Mr Alexander said bad decisions on the field might cost the team a penalty, possession or even the game, but that paled into comparison by the knock-on effect of one bad decision on the road.
“Any distractions while driving can have a disastrous impact on you and those around you,” Mr Alexander said.
“No phone call, no message, no email is worth your life or anyone else’s.”
The three-part Building the Blues series can be accessed at this PS News link.
