HEARTBROKEN families from around Durban gathered at the park on Florida Road for the Spiga restaurant’s annual commemorative Remember Me, event on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR).
The day commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year, pays tribute to the millions killed and injured on the world’s roads, together with their families and friends and gives the loved ones an opportunity to thank emergency services for their assistance.
Caro Smit, director of South Africans Against Drunk Driving said the theme for 2016 Vital Post-Crash Care.
“This theme relates to the call in Pillar 5 of the “Global Plan for the Decade of Action” for much needed improvements in the post-crash response. Proposed actions relate to the immediate time after a crash – to save lives and reduce severity of impact: Medical: Develop hospital trauma care systems and good practices and quality assurance on trauma care systems, provide early rehabilitation and support to the injured and bereaved to minimize both physical and psychological trauma. “Right patient to the right Hospital, at the right time.”
Investigation: Encourage a thorough investigation into the crash as well as to the all-important issue of crash cause and response to it: SADD ask for this to be done at every crash scene, and not only where 5 or more people die. SADD also ask for both drivers to be tested for alcohol &/or drugs at every crash scene.
Justice: The application of an effective legal response to road deaths and injuries…and therefore fair settlements and justice for the bereaved and injured. This should include post traumatic counselling.“One of our main mandates as a road safety organisation is fighting for the rights of victims and giving them a voice by raising awareness,” she added.
Spiga restaurant in Florida Road hosts a commemorative event every year, owner Marco Santoniccolo said, “This is an initiative close to my heart and this year was 10 years since my brother Luca lost his life in a head on collision on the Athlone bridge. I thank everyone who came on board, it is a team effort, SADD – South African Against Drunk Driving, the Road Traffic Management Corporation the Florida Road UIP.
“My message to everyone out there is to just don’t drink and drive. Remember your family before you think of driving intoxicated, there is no excuse there are so many options available now,” he said.
Meanwhile Lee Dwyer, mother of Berea cyclist Jared Dwyer told Berea Mail, each day is a heartbreaking reminder of life without her son. “Jared was such a beautiful boy, never had anything bad to say about anyone and always was so caring not just to his family but strangers and even beggars,” she said in tears. Dwyer was killed along with fellow Kings Park Cycling Club cyclist Richard da Silva in a tragic crash on the M4 in February this year.
Another heartbroken mother, Suzette Ratcliffe said while everyday without her son William is hard, today was especially hard for the family especially William’s brother James who lost his big brother and best friend and baby sister Heather who knows all about her brother but hasn’t met him. “I tell them we will see him again one day, and today when telling them about the Remember Me event they hoped that day was today,” she said through tears, adding, “I just have to remind them that day isn’t today but one day we will meet him and be together.”
Click here for more photographs from the event.
