Emotional road safety campaign highlights what is ‘left unfinished’

Published date: 15 Nov 2020

Personal items belonging to people who were either killed or seriously injured on Victorian roads are at the centre of an emotional new road safety campaign.

Road Trauma Support Services Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission have developed the campaign ‘Left Unfinished’, which tells the story of seven Victorians who either lost their lives or had their lives permanently changed due to road trauma, and the seemingly ordinary items they left behind or unfinished.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Ben Carroll, today joined storytellers from ‘Left Unfinished’, as well as RTSSV CEO, Bernadette Nugent, and TAC Head of Road Safety, Samantha Cockfield, to launch the campaign and urge all Victorians to listen to and learn from the harrowing stories.

Central to the campaign is an exhibition of the ‘left unfinished’ items, each accompanied by the story behind them – either told by a loved one of a person who lost their life, or a person who was injured that recounts their personal story.

“This exhibition is a tribute to the seven people, their families and loved ones. It also serves as a reminder to all of us to never take life for granted when we get behind the wheel,” Minister Carroll said.

“It’s so important that we continue to work together as a community to make our roads safer and strive for a future where we don’t have families who have to tell stories like this.” he said.

The ‘Left Unfinished’ exhibition will be situated in the Melbourne Museum forecourt (Museum Plaza) until 22 November, where people can visit and learn the emotional real-life stories behind the items on display, while a virtual augmented reality experience can be found online via a QR code, found at leftunfinished.com.au

“Far too many people have a ‘left unfinished’ story, and this poignant campaign lays bare seven very personal and emotional stories about how lives can change so dramatically when the unthinkable happens on the roads,” Ms Cockfield said.

“We hope the bravery and vulnerability of the people telling these stories will have an impact on every Victorian, and emphasise the importance of making safe choices when using the roads,” she said.

The campaign forms part of RTSSV’s rescheduled ‘Shine a Light on Road Safety’ week, and coincides with National Road Safety Week – both running from November 15-22 after being postponed from early May due to Coronavirus.

“The Left Unfinished campaign is aimed at helping people understand the devastating and often lifelong impact of road trauma,” Ms Nugent said.

“The seven people involved in this project have generously and courageously told their stories in the hope that it will make a difference. Sadly, they represent thousands of Victorian families who have shared similar experiences,” she said.

While the traditional RTSSV ‘Shine a Light on Road Safety’ walk around Albert Park Lake won’t happen, other mainstays of the week will go ahead.

Iconic Victorian landmarks will glow yellow in memory and support of people impacted by road trauma, including AAMI Stadium, Box Hill Town Hall, Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Melbourne Star (Friday only), Frankston Arts Centre and the Victorian Road Trauma Memorial in Geelong (Thursday only).

Victorian motorists are also being urged to show their support for anyone affected by road trauma by turning on their headlights on Friday.

For more information contact the TAC’s Alex White on 0419 529 505.

See full Left Unfinished campaign details and QR code here

See the Left Unfinished videos below: