Indigenous voices unite to tackle road safety crisis

Joseph Guenzler
Joseph Guenzler Published February 28, 2025 at 5.05pm (AWST)

Troy Cassar-Daley and Scott Prince have banded together to urge communities to reflect on their driving behaviour as part of the Australian Government's 'Safer driving starts with you' campaign.

The initiative comes as the national road toll reaches its highest level in more than a decade, with Indigenous people more than three times as likely to die in road accidents compared to other Australians.

Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung musician, Mr Cassar-Daley, said his years of touring have exposed him to dangerous driving behaviours.

"I've seen worse behaviour on the roads than at any concert – and often from very experienced drivers," he said.

He urged drivers to avoid distractions, manage their emotions, and think about how their actions impact others.

"You wouldn't do dumb or inconsiderate things outside of a car, so why do them in one?" he said.

Kalkadoon man and former NRL player, Scott Prince, spoke about the personal toll of road accidents, recalling the loss of his father in a crash weeks after his 21st birthday.

"I think about him every day," he said.

"None of us think it can happen to us, but you just never know," he said.

Mr Prince emphasised the importance of continuous self-reflection on driving habits, regardless of experience.

"You might think you're a safe driver, but it's always good to be reminded about what you can do to keep yourself and others safe," he said.

The campaign, with the message 'Don't let a car change who you are – Safer driving starts with you,' encourages all road users to be mindful of their actions behind the wheel.

Indigenous people are also 30 per cent more likely to be hospitalised due to road crashes.

Mr Prince and Mr Cassar-Daley hope the campaign will highlight the impact of reckless driving on families and communities.

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National Indigenous Times

Disclaimer: This function is AI-generated and therefore may mispronounce.