< back to Sandra's blogJourney Beyond Road Trauma wins road safety award

Journey Beyond Road Trauma (JBRT) founders Sandra Cook and Kerry Sunderland are delighted that the online community is one of three finalists in the inaugural 3M-ACRS Diamond Australian Road Safety Awards, which were announced last night in Melbourne.

JBRT was one of two projects that were ‘highly commended’ in the inaugural awards, which were established to recognise those who have developed a road safety treatment or initiative that stands out beyond traditional activities and delivers improved road safety.

The awards are the result of a new partnership between 3M and the Australian College of Road Safety (ACRS) and the awards presentation was held in conjunction with the 2011 ACRS Conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 September.

The overall award winner was Michael Musumeci from the Queensland Police, for the community outreach project called ‘RAPTAR’. The other ‘highly commended’ award went to John Quee, an independent inventor who has designed a valve that can be installed on car engines to significantly reduce the risk of a petrol fire after a collision.

‘We are really honoured to win this award,’ says Kerry. ‘It is not only an award for Sandra and myself, but for the whole JBRT community who have made the online social network what it is today. With more than 2,000 members on the main site and the Facebook page and around 23,765 visits and 158,197 page views in the past 12 months, it is a passionate community of people forming meaningful relationships, finding a voice and some strength in unity.'

Written on 06 Sep 2011
Tags: award, recognition

Comments

Site founder | 06 Sep 2011

This award belongs to all of you. It means that people are finally understanding that this site is much more than a ‘sad’ place for the ‘victims’ of road trauma. The road safety education community now sees the site as a tool that can educate the wider society about road safety.

Thanks to everyone who has been so brave to tell their story so this doesn’t happen to someone else!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

ANN LEWIS | 07 Sep 2011

The award was well deserved Sandra! You and Kerry have founded a wonderful place for us, where we can sit in the comfort and safety of our own homes and communicate with others who have been involved in road trauma.

I have also had the pleasure of meeting some of the group on here when I flew to Adelaide and we had a wonderful meal, with tears and laughter included. This could happen in any part of the country and help to bring together our friends who feel so warmed and welcome to this wonderful site. If you are not ready for that, then just feel comforted that we are thinking of each other, and just a click can bring us together.

Hugs Ann xx

Julie McIntyre | 07 Sep 2011

I heard our road toll is down with the loss of young drivers lower than previous years.

JBRT and all who are involved in raising awarness ie the Quad Squad, police and more are having a positive impact on our roads.

As much as it hurts for my family to see crash scenes and in particular, wrecked bikes, we know it has to be shown.

Well done on the award Sandra and Kerry, you are responsible for saving many lives. You have much to be proud and are our silent heroes.

On behalf of all my family and all the lives you have saved;Thank you. xxxx

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