Road Trauma
Road Trauma; two little words, that pack an almighty punch into the lives and families of those affected by vehicle accidents.
A definition by the Australian Academy of Science: “The word ‘trauma’ is especially appropriate to describe the injuries inflicted by road crashes. The medical profession uses it for any bodily injury or wound, but more literally it means ‘a powerful shock that may have long-lasting effects’ – an apt description for the sudden violence of a road crash”. (NOVA: Australian Academy of Science- Road Trauma Prevention).
Trauma is the hidden tragedy of the road. We have become accustomed and almost numb to hearing about the devastatingly high death toll; although unpleasant, crash fatalities are becoming an increasing circumstance and an unwanted occurrence for today’s generations.
“There is limited, to no physical control over that types of injuries may be inflicted upon a victim in a road crash: from ruptured spleens to severed limbs, broken skulls/ severe whiplash and injuries to the brain and spinal cord, and fractured ribs”- explains the team at Nova’s road trauma unit.
The shocking truth about the outcomes of being in a near fatal car accident is that the recovery from these grievances can take years of treatment, physiotherapy, medications and therapy, but the physical and psychological pain may never go away for both the wounded and their loved ones. (NOVA: Australian Academy of Science- Road Trauma Prevention).
“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.”
― Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistral 's Kiss
Australia, the seventh largest continent in the world, is homed to over 20,434,176 people. Research suggests that every year on Australian roads approximately 1,600 fatalities, and over 50,000 injuries occur. These are astonishing numbers, much alike the statistics found by The Southern Australian Road Safety Strategy, which places road crashes as the second highest
A definition by the Australian Academy of Science: “The word ‘trauma’ is especially appropriate to describe the injuries inflicted by road crashes. The medical profession uses it for any bodily injury or wound, but more literally it means ‘a powerful shock that may have long-lasting effects’ – an apt description for the sudden violence of a road crash”. (NOVA: Australian Academy of Science- Road Trauma Prevention).
Trauma is the hidden tragedy of the road. We have become accustomed and almost numb to hearing about the devastatingly high death toll; although unpleasant, crash fatalities are becoming an increasing circumstance and an unwanted occurrence for today’s generations.
“There is limited, to no physical control over that types of injuries may be inflicted upon a victim in a road crash: from ruptured spleens to severed limbs, broken skulls/ severe whiplash and injuries to the brain and spinal cord, and fractured ribs”- explains the team at Nova’s road trauma unit.
The shocking truth about the outcomes of being in a near fatal car accident is that the recovery from these grievances can take years of treatment, physiotherapy, medications and therapy, but the physical and psychological pain may never go away for both the wounded and their loved ones. (NOVA: Australian Academy of Science- Road Trauma Prevention).
“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.”
― Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistral 's Kiss
Australia, the seventh largest continent in the world, is homed to over 20,434,176 people. Research suggests that every year on Australian roads approximately 1,600 fatalities, and over 50,000 injuries occur. These are astonishing numbers, much alike the statistics found by The Southern Australian Road Safety Strategy, which places road crashes as the second highest
Links: to-road-safety-initiative---Geared-Website 9. Cars. Com, 09.09.12, 10 Mistakes Young Drivers Make: Risk Taking, unknown, 13.02.2013. http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=yd&story=ydTop10&subject=yd_shop 10. RAAG inc. last updated: 05.10.2012, Road Accident Action Group: Strategic Management Plan, 01.03.2013. http://www.raag.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=3] 11. Journey Beyond Blue: Road Trauma, 2011, A Classroom resource for students and teachers, 22.02.2013. http://journeybeyondroadtrauma.org/system/aer/teacher-awareness-kit.pdf