Attitude Key Factor In Road Safety Battle

Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, has shared a story that started with an incident over 25 years ago for two very good reasons.

As a Police Officer based in Charters Towers, Mr Last and his partner came across Raymond Abdy in an overturned car and, while the events have changed several lives forever, Mr Last hopes they may also help others.

“That night is burnt into my memory,” Mr Last said.  

“It was late at night on May 15th 1998 when we were patrolling in Charters Towers and came around the corner to see a car had rolled.

“When we stopped the wheels on the car were still spinning so, in a way, our timing couldn’t have been much better.  

“Raymond, 9 days shy of his 18th birthday, was still in the vehicle with the seat belt across his neck restricting his breathing.

“We cut the seatbelt so that Raymond could breathe and the sound of him taking a huge gulp of air is a sound I will never forget.  

“From that point it was a case of providing first aid until an ambulance and firefighters arrived to provide further treatment and get Raymond on his way to hospital.”

“Thankfully Raymond survived but was left with a brain injury and years of intensive rehabilitation due to that incident.  

“The outcome could have been much worse but the fact is Raymond’s life will never be the same and the effect on Raymond’s loves ones is almost immeasurable.”

Mr Last said Ramond’s story highlighted that, in addition to lives lost, the permanent injuries caused by road accidents were a real risk that all drivers faced.

“Up until a week before Christmas almost 270 lives had been lost on Queensland roads,” Mr Last said.  

“You also have to remember that over 7,000 people are hospitalised each year due to road accidents and that, for many of them, their lives are irreversibly changed.

“If you take Raymond as an example, you have a 17 year old with obvious talents both academically and on the sporting field.  

“Drivers, especially young drivers, need to understand that a split second decision can not only take lives, but it can also take away their dreams.

“What Raymond has achieved in his life since the accident is remarkable to say the least.  

“With the unwavering support of his mother, Lorna, Raymond has competed internationally in athletics and travels far and wide sharing the importance of driving safely with young people.”

Last year, Mr Last attended a local Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) Program and said Raymond and Lorna speaking to the students could only be describe as a “breakthrough moment”.  

“Raymond was a similar age to the students when he had his accident and you can see that the students connect with that while also getting a better understanding of what can happen as a result of road accidents,” Mr Last said.

“Raymond and Lorna have taken part in literally hundreds of RYDA Programs, including here in the Burdekin.  

“The RYDA Program encourages young people to take a more responsible attitude and Raymond’s story definitely helps in sharing that message.

“Such is the contribution that Raymond and Lorna have made to the RYDA Program, they were awarded Rotary’s highest honour last year.  

“It was a great honour to be able to see them receive the Paul Harris Fellowship here in the Burdekin.”

“As we approach the start of another school year and another year of young people working towards getting their licence, it’s a great opportunity for parents to look at programs like this.  

“Every parent finds the prospect of their children getting their licence a little daunting but programs like this can definitely help to reinforce the need to drive responsibly.”

In addition to helping make our roads safer for young people, Mr Last said Raymond’s story carried another important message.

“At this time of year, we sadly see an increase in the number of road accidents,” he said.  

“I’d ask people to remember that, at each of those serious accidents, there are emergency services workers whose lives may also be changed by that incident.

“For Police Officers, Paramedics, Firefighters and even some volunteers, the effects are not always immediate.  

“But, despite the dangers and the trauma that come for attending those accidents, those people never hesitate to do it all over again when called on.”

“Over 30% of the people killed on our roads are aged 16 to 24 and it’s a similar figure for hospitalisations.  

“By showing responsibility on the road we are making ourselves safer and setting an example that could play a huge part in reducing the number of young people lost on our roads each year.”

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Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, was on hand to celebrate Lorna and Raymond Abdy receiving their Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotarian Tony Goddard. Photo supplied