When we think about road safety, it’s easy to imagine that the worst will never happen to us.
After all, most of us have been driving for decades, and we know the rules of the road like the back of our hand.
But as one Australian woman’s story reminds us, complacency behind the wheel can have devastating, lifelong consequences—not just for drivers, but for their families and loved ones as well.
One life-changing incident
Chloe Ferrari was just 12 years old when her world changed forever. Her mum, Lucy, was on her way to pick her up from school in Melbourne when a distracted 18-year-old driver crashed into her. The aftermath was catastrophic.
Lucy’s injuries were so severe that, over the years, she’s become completely immobile and spends much of her life in the hospital, battling a relentless series of health complications.
‘It just led to one health concern after another,’ Chloe recalls. ‘Fast forward to now, she is completely immobile and mostly bed-bound. She is constantly fighting off sepsis infections… she spends at least half of the year in hospital.’
Lucy’s story is, heartbreakingly, not unique in Chloe’s family. One of her uncles was killed by a drunk driver, and another lived with a brain injury for more than 20 years after being hit by a car. The ripple effects of these tragedies have shaped Chloe’s life and her perspective on road safety.
Since the crash, Lucy has lost her peripheral vision, undergone multiple knee surgeries, received a pacemaker, developed a brain tumour, and now relies on both a colostomy and a urostomy bag.
The list of complications is long and sobering—a stark reminder that a single moment of inattention can change everything.
A growing culture of complacency
Chloe has noticed a worrying trend in recent years: more and more drivers seem to believe that ‘nothing will happen to me.’
She’s seen an uptick in risky behaviour on the roads, from people recording themselves while driving to those openly complaining about increased road surveillance.
‘People just think that they are really invincible because they haven’t been in a car accident, or know anyone who has,’ she says.
‘What happened to mum has had a huge snowball effect on all our lives… it’s such a no-brainer to just not be stupid. I’ve seen firsthand how much it impacts not just the person who’s hit but everyone around them.’
The statistics back her up. According to research from Finder, 1,296 lives were lost on Australian roads in the past year alone.
Even more alarming, 16 per cent of serious casualty collisions are caused by driver distraction, with mobile phones being the main culprit.
The real cost of distraction
We all know the temptation: a quick glance at a text, a scroll through social media at a red light, or fiddling with the GPS while driving. But as Chloe points out, these seemingly small acts can have enormous consequences.
‘We all pretty much have a phone addiction and I’m not saying that I don’t, but taking it into the car with you is not only dangerous for yourself but it’s incredibly selfish. Don’t do it.’
It’s not just about the risk to yourself. Every time you take your eyes off the road, you’re putting everyone around you in danger—other drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and, as Chloe’s story shows, entire families.
Why increased road surveillance matters
Some drivers grumble about the rise in road cameras and police patrols, seeing them as an invasion of privacy or an inconvenience. But the reality is, these measures are there to protect us all. With the cost of road trauma in Australia estimated at $30 billion annually, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Surveillance isn’t about catching you out—it’s about saving lives. And as technology evolves, so too does the ability to detect and deter dangerous behaviour, from speeding to mobile phone use.
A call to action for all drivers
Chloe’s message is clear: don’t wait until tragedy strikes to take road safety seriously. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or just starting out, every decision you make behind the wheel matters.
Here are a few simple ways to stay safe and set a good example for others:
- Put your phone out of reach before you start the car.
- Use hands-free technology only when absolutely necessary.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Stay alert and avoid driving when tired or distracted.
- Encourage friends and family to do the same.
Let’s make our roads safer—together
We know that many of our readers have decades of driving experience under their belts. But even the most seasoned drivers can fall into bad habits or underestimate the risks. Chloe’s story is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe.
Have you or someone you know been affected by a road accident? What changes have you made to your driving habits over the years? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—share your story in the comments below and help us spread the message that safe driving is everyone’s responsibility.
Also read: Where do you drive? Australia’s best and worst regions for road safety revealed
My siblings & I lost our parents in a car accident in 1970 when they were both 40.
The other driver was distracted, and swerved onto the wrong side of the road right into the path of my parents’ car. Dad passed at the scene & mum on the way to hospital. This was on the Kidman Way between Darlington Point & Colleambally in NSW.
My younger brother was killed in a motor cycle accident on the River Lett Hill on his way back home to Sydney from Bathurst in 1983. He was only 21 at the time.
I’ve been in 2 accidents, neither of them my fault, the other drivers were distracted. I now live with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia & I had whiplash. I didn’t break any bones, but my body is ‘paying for it’ now I’m in my late 60s.
These accidents were well before any mobile phones, electronics etc to distract us. So we can’t blame them only for being the major cause of accidents.