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WARNING: Strong language in video
Bereaved mother and road safety campaigner Danielle Brice has spoken out after seeing distressing footage of a 4WD overtaking on the Kings Highway, nearly causing several head-on crashes on Christmas day.
Another driver captured video of the incidents on dash cam video, prompting the Eurobodalla Shire Councillor, firefighter and SES volunteer, to urge drivers to think again before overtaking
Cr Brice spent Christmas without her two sons: Chris, who was killed in a road accident, and Nick, also a lifesaver and SES volunteer, who died training for abseiling.
The footage upset the Tuross Head resident terribly and spurred her to speak out, urging the driver to “walk a mile in my shoes”.
“I was shocked to see a Victorian driver not only take the risk once, but several times, to pass a line of traffic on the Kings Highway,” Cr Brice said.
“I invite the driver of the vehicle in the You Tube clip to walk a mile in my shoes.
“I just want all families to enjoy a safe and happy holiday period. It’s not much fun remembering loved ones that should be with you at Christmas and New Year.
“What was this driver thinking? What were the oncoming drivers thinking?
“Everything that is important to you can change in the blink of an eye.”
She urged readers to examine the video and count the potential loss of life.
“Just capture each vision that was taken - how many lives would have been lost through this impatient driver? How many families would have been devastated? There is no excuse to put passengers in your vehicle and other road users at risk.
“This is the eighth Christmas without our youngest son, Chris, who tragically lost his life in a pedestrian accident along South Head Road, Moruya, on August 8, 2008.
“Our eldest son, Nicholas, died in an abseiling accident in North Rocks, Sydney, on August 21, 2011.
“Our lives have changed forever. We can’t change what has happened to us but we can do something about it.
“As a mother and a councillor I’m sending out a plea to all drivers: please think about how you drive, think about risk taking, fatigue, slow down and be patient.
“There are many factors that should be taken into account.”
NSW Police are investigating the scene.
Cr Brice has been a passionate road safety campaigner as a mother and a councillor, successully leading a campaign for a shared pathway on South Head Road.
“I was very proud to be invited to represent the Eurobodalla Shire Council to be part of the official launch of The Kings Highway Road Safety Summer Campaign 2015-2016 on 15\12\15,” Cr Brice said.
“The Kings Highway Road Safety Partnership is a dynamic team that works toward a coordinated approach between enforcement and community education to reduce road trauma on the Kings Highway.
“Partnership members include: ACT Policing, NSW Police Force, ACT Government, NRMA-ACT Road Safety Trust, Roads and Maritime Services, Eurobodalla, Palerang, Queanbeyan and Shoalhaven Councils.
“The key messages this year is ‘Plan your Journey’ and ‘Don’t Rush’.”
Shortly before Christmas, Cr Brice, in her SES capacity, was called the scene of a single car crash on Hector McWilliam Drive, Tuross Head. She applied first aid to the female driver until paramedics arrived.