Rural roads: it's the stories, not statistics that matter

TW: This article details the personal experience of a rural road fatality.

City Girl Turned Country edition #2

It’s the statistics, not the stories we hear about. ?

A greater percentage of regional Victorians lose their lives on rural roads, compared to urban counterparts. At the time of writing 132 regional Victorians people have lost their lives on rural roads this year (2024 TAC data). This is already higher than the five year rolling average of 121 lives lost. By comparison 115 Melburnians have lost their lives on the roads in 2024. The rolling five year average is 97. An article published by the Guardian in 2023 revealed regional Australians are five times more likely to be killed on the roads, referencing a report by the Australian Automobile Association.

But why is this?

a)????Speed

b)??? Fatigue

c)????Drugs and / or alcohol

d)??? Distraction or driver error

e)??? Poorly designed / maintained roads

f)?????Weather

g)????Animal collisions (or swerves to miss)

h) We drive longer distances (generally)

i)??? All of the above??

Pick one or more and you're right. But This installment of City Girl Turned Country is not exploring the causes of rural road accidents.?

It is a personal account of an experience.

One that happened to me.

It was September 4, 2017. I’d finished work unusually early. I remember the sun was glittering in the blue sky as I hopped into my car.

Very soon I began to crest the peak of the Great Dividing Range, 450+ metres above sea level. It may not seem like much, but the altitude was enough to prompt a weather change. Rain began falling. It became heavier, beating against my car like stones. Then the hail arrived. In hindsight, stopping would have been a great idea. Except the weather closed in so quickly, the thought didn’t occur to me. And besides, it simply wasn't safe.

As fog descended and the rain gave way to sleet, visibility diminished. And then - I swear - snow began to fall. It was early spring. On a 100km rural highway, traffic began crawling well below the speed limit. Suddenly the car in front slammed its brakes. I did the same, and yet, my car did not stop. In horror, I realised I was coasting, presumably on black ice. Instinctively I pulled my handbrake upwards and guided the steering wheel to the left. Please let me not rear end the car in front, I prayed. Then by magic - my car stopped.

If on cue the fog lifted and the sun filtered through the trees, revealing what felt like an ethereal landscape.

A beautiful white cloud billowed towards me. It was difficult to make sense of, so I got out of the car. And then the devastation began to reveal itself. That was not cloud. It was the front of a car, shattered into a billion fragments. Suspended in air. Stepping out of the car, I realised I had narrowly missed hitting a tree by just a few metres. And two cars in front of me, one person was either dying or dead. The other car lay on its side, the male driver screaming in shock and pain.

Immediately I sprung to action. I cannot remember time passing sequentially, I remember noise, colour, people, sound and emotions. I remember how “busy” it was, cars and trucks banked for metres in either direction. People standing in the middle of the road, crying. They were immobile.

So I called Triple 0.

The scene was chaotic, and totally unbelievable. Like a movie. I ran across to the car. Well, the two thirds of a car. Inside was a woman, she was trapped. Myself and another man followed the Triple Zero operator’s instructions. We had to get the woman out of the car. Or in the very least, confirm if she was alive. Instinctively I knew the woman was dying. The man felt for a pulse and shook his head. I picked her right index and middle fingers and squeezed them hard.

What happened next, I did not expect.

They fluttered against mine.

They fluttered intentionally.

And then they fell limp against my hand.

My mouth fell agape. I could not believe was I seeing, experiencing.

I looked down at my olive suede shoes, which were ruined by sleet and snow. Suddenly I realised my feet were cold. Very cold.

Soon after, the emergency services arrived. After a brief interview with police, it was time for me to leave.

In shock I drove home. It look a long time before I was able to process what had happened, let alone, find peace and truly let go (more in a future installment).?

The lady who died - her name was Lara. She was just 40 years old. Beloved mother, partner, colleague, friend, community member, volunteer. We were strangers, but in the fraction of a second, we became forever acquainted. Through one life’s most intimate moments, we came to know each other.

Death.

Thankfully the male driver in the other car did survive. He didn't escape without lasting injuries though.

Now this is just one 'rural road' one story.?

Each death on our roads has a ripple effect. For every person who dies, it’s impossible to know how many are affected.

Families, friends and loved ones are left devastated, broken.

First responders, emergency services and their families feel the impact for years.

My experience of driving has been affected. Even now I feel uneasy when a vehicle approaches me on a single lane highway.

That September evening, I wrote an email to my local member.

I felt convinced that if drivers were better equipped to handle inclement conditions, accidents like these would reduce. Or in the very least, there should be more signs to warn drivers of black ice.

The local member wrote back to me quickly.

A few months later, I found myself working for her as an Electorate Advisor. Becoming acquainted with State politics and connecting with community through writing was my next adventure.

But that's another installment.

________________________

Thank you for reading the second edition of "City girl turned Country". Stay tuned for the next installment in coming days.

One of the reasons I'm writing this - beyond sharing my #treechange experiences - is because I'm looking for a job from January 2025!

Can you help me?

My purpose (and dare I say it, passion), is bringing people together to create better outcomes. I'm skilled at creating community that transcends perceived difference, sparking conversations that strengthen quality of life. What that looks like: leadership roles in communications, community / stakeholder engagement and community development.

I live near Bendigo, Vic, but I am open to remote work and travel.

e: [email protected].

Read the previous edition of City Girl Turned Country here [Sunset on the City]

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/sunset-city-ness-wiltshire-akphc/?trackingId=hGjijyZ4QnCarOuSXXaa%2BA%3D%3D