Road safety: It’s everyone’s responsibility Unfortunately, we’ve seen close to 300 lives lost on our Victorian since January 1, 2023 – a 20% increase on last year’s toll. As we approach the festive season, it’s more important than ever to remain vigilant while using our roads – whether you’re a car driver, motorbike rider, pedestrian or cyclist – we all need to share the road, be aware and make it home safely. The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) last week released a myth-busting campaign “Drink Driving: Stop Kidding Yourself”. The campaign challenges drivers’ belief in myths associated with drink driving, and to encourage them to make the choice to separate drinking from driving, every time. It follows insights that revealed more than four in 10 Victorian drivers (41 per cent) say they will drive after drinking, despite the fact one in five drivers killed on the state’s roads have a BAC on or above the 0.05 limit. Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Don Maffia said that road trauma has changed the lives of his clients forever and often, survivors of road accidents will carry the injuries for the rest of their lives. “There are a number of reasons why accidents occur; all it takes is a moment’s lapse in concentration, alcohol consumption or a minor distraction and you can find yourself involved in a collision with another vehicle,” Don said. “We’re urging people to take care this holiday season when using our roads. Careless behaviours to save a matter of seconds aren’t worth the injuries – or worse.” Neville’s story: A life-changing injury Our client’s life was forever changed after a road accident. Neville was riding his motorbike through a poorly lit intersection one night in May 2023 when he missed the T intersection and crashed into a street pole, trapping his leg under his motorbike. While he wasn’t over the limit, he’d had some drinks earlier that day. Neville’s injuries were catastrophic: his leg was amputated below the knee. Not only is this a drastic injury for anyone to sustain, it was also especially life-altering for Neville as he is a farmer. “I want nothing more than to have my leg back, but that can’t happen,” Neville said. “I’ve had over 30 operations and am constantly in pain. I am still healing but I can’t do nearly as much work on the farm as what I used to, and I need a wheelchair to get around most of the time.” To other riders, Neville has a warning: “Motorbike lights aren’t as good as a car’s lights, so be careful when riding through poorly lit intersections at night. And don’t have a top box on your motorbike – it is impossible to get your leg out if you get it trapped in a crash.” Contact us “If you’ve been injured in a road accident, we understand how stressful this can be, and the last thing you want to be doing is worrying about your financial situation,” Don said. “Permanent injuries can be life changing and you might be eligible for compensation, so we encourage you to contact us to see how we can help you ease the burden.” For more information about TAC claims and eligibility, visit our TAC page. At Arnold Thomas & Becker, we operate on a No Win No Fee basis. To talk to one of our lawyers, call us on 1300 333 300.