By CASEY NEILL
NOBLE Park woman Suzanne Boyle’s life changed forever when a drunk driver ran her over outside her home in 2012.
She shared her experience in the lead up to Fatality Free Friday on 30 May which asks road users to promise to drive safely in a bid to cut the day’s road toll to zero.
Ms Boyle was locking her car when she saw another vehicle careering toward her.
“I thought he was going to hit the back of my car, so I ran for the other side of the road,” she said.
“He did hit my car – and he hit me, in the middle of the road.
“It was very traumatic for my children. They heard the accident, my son rang the ambulance.”
Ms Boyle still suffers pain in her leg, hip and lower back that prevents her from performing her previous job, so she’s had to return to study to change career path.
“It’s very traumatic. I still get quite upset about it. I’m very nervous out on the road,” she said.
“People need to be more aware when they’re out on the road and what condition they’re in before they get in their car and drive.”
Maurice Blackburn road accident lawyer Tim Dionyssopoulos said Fatality Free Friday was an important reminder for all road users to look out for each other.
“I see so much pain and suffering in people affected by road accidents but with a bit more care and awareness the road toll can be cut,” he said.
“We hope Fatality Free Friday will encourage people to be more mindful of every move they make behind the wheel.”
Drivers can take the Fatality Free Friday road safety pledge at www.fatalityfreefriday.com.
