Silence descends because of shock, confusion, agony, death, doubt, guilt and blame.  Silence is no friend at a crash scene.

Senses are heightened: car bodies may be mangled, engines may be smoking, dislodged parts may be sitting on occupants, airbags (if fitted) have engaged, locked seat belts may be incredibly tight,  broken steering columns may have pinned casualties, petrol may be leaking, ignitions are in the on position, and brakes and tyres may be hot and smell rubbery – but in a short period of time, you can still analyse the scene, estimate age, feel saddened by personal effects strewn across the road, smell the rain, notice the fog, watch the trees sway in the wind and feel scared by - silence.

“Oh my God! Call the ambulance! I only have one bar! What should we do next? Does anyone have a torch?” (when mobile phones were for telephone calls).

Unexpectedly encountering a fatal or serious car crash before our incredible emergency services personnel take control is beyond words.  It’s difficult to talk about but it must be written, and it must be discussed.

Driving long distances has always been a part of my job and I have had the misfortune of experiencing the scenes described.

Innocent bystanders at a crash scene can be categorised into two groups of people.  Those who act and those, through no fault of their own, find it impossible to move.  

There are jobs to be done: ascertaining life and death, directing traffic, phone calls, rendering assistance, comforting and reassuring survivors, describing events to police, taking care of pets travelling in vehicles and listening to the sickening yet, at times, lifesaving crunch of the Jaws of Life spreading and cutting like new scissors on corrugated cardboard. 

The Christmas/New Year period in Tasmania has tragically been devastating with most crashes involving drivers veering to the wrong side of the road.

Due to our state’s topography, roads are often narrow and winding.  It could be said the more picturesque the destination the more challenging the driving conditions. 

Native animals feed on the verges after rain and sun have created foraging opportunities. And with huge numbers of tourists, who contribute significantly to our state’s economy, inexperience with road conditions is the consequence.

As a result, governments, both state and federal, invest heavily in our road infrastructure with billions spent to improve the safety of major and regional arterial routes.  Wire ropes, increased numbers of overtaking lanes, regular and obvious signage, reduced speed limits, increased police presence, and a more sophisticated learner and provisional licence program, including experience in a variety of driving conditions, is the new norm. 

Master and Miss, reciting the Road Safety Advisory Council campaign targeting inattention and distraction, often chant from the back seat: Don’t be a goose. Leave your phone alone.  The imagery, humour, and uniqueness are obviously resonating, but does it change behaviour? 

We are all guilty of periods of inattention and distraction when driving.  If you say you remain attentive 100 per cent of the time, you are stretching the truth. 

Mobile phones, hands-free or not, are addictive and distracting.  They keep us on top of our workload and social life; contactable always, yet there are times when so engaged in conversation, remembering sections of the road travelled is impossible.  “Am I already at Oatlands,” I can hear myself question surprisingly.

Importantly, it is the season for proud parents to post pictures on social media congratulating our newest and youngest drivers, many of whom have saved hard to purchase their first car.

The wonderful eldest child of our dearest friends recently gained his provisional licence and we all feel proud of these achievements because it is a significant rite of passage.

Yet, on passing his test, and in a poignant, brutally honest and heartfelt moment, his instructor made him turn to his mother and promise to always tell her where he is going in his car, make contact when he arrives and, never to be on his phone when driving.

Heed this message and share it with drivers of all ages, because a fatal crash and its consequences including trauma, loss, grief and deathly silence will stay will you forever. Contact Road Trauma Support at https://roadtraumasupport.org.au/