Congratulations to inspirational road safety advocate Peter Frazer who was presented with the prestigious 2021 Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) Fellowship at the ACRS Award Ceremony held on Wednesday 29 September at the 2021 Australasian Road Safety Conference (ARSC 2021).
The award is deserved recognition of Peter Frazer’s outstanding contribution to road safety throughout Australia, and internationally through policy development, community education, and advocacy work. Peter’s dedication began with heartbreaking personal loss. On 15 February 2012 Peter’s daughter Sarah was killed in a completely avoidable road crash after her car broke down on the Hume Freeway south of Sydney. The tow truck driver who had come to Sarah’s assistance also lost his life.
A month later Peter and his family established the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group and in 2013 the first National Road Safety Week was established. National Road Safety Week, now a SARAH Group annual initiative, partnering with road safety organisations and Government, highlights the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz, who participated in the Ceremony via a video presentation, congratulated all nominees “for the part you play in reducing the number of people killed and injured on our roads.” He also thanked the award winner for “outstanding leadership and drive to improve road safety throughout Australia.”
In presenting the award, ACRS President Mr Martin Small said he was delighted to welcome Peter as a Fellow of the Australasian College of Road Safety.
“Peter is a champion for road safety. His passion inspires individuals and creates institutional change.” Mr Small said.
“The impact that Peter has had through the establishment of SARAH, the National Road Safety Week, and breakdown legislation now known as Sarah’s Rule is remarkable.” Mr Small continued.
Sarah’s Rule, which came into effect in September 2019 in NSW, requires drivers to slow down when flashing lights are present. This rule, developed to keep emergency services and roadside responders safe, has helped save many lives since its introduction.
Peter Frazer has harnessed his 40 years’ experience in economic analysis, research, law enforcement & compliance policy, investigations, strategic & operational intelligence, and project management as well as social justice advocacy to underpin his notable road safety contributions including:
- Keynote road safety speaker at local, state, national and global events and conferences.
- Oceania member on the Advisory Board for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (FEVR).
- Board member of the International Road Victims’ Partnership and Chair of the inaugural International Road Victims Conference, Mullingar Ireland (March 2018).
- National Ambassador for Road Safety Education’s RYDA Programme.
- Presenter for the Traffic Offenders Intervention Programme
The 2021 ACRS Fellowship Award honours Peter Frazer’s tireless, passionate, brave, and courageous contribution to road safety in Australia. The Australasian College of Road Safety and members of the road safety community across Australasia congratulate Mr Frazer’s outstanding contributions and 2021 ACRS Fellowship win.
About the ACRS Fellowship Award
The prestigious ACRS Fellowship is recognised as the Australasian road safety community’s highest honour, recognising an individual for their outstanding commitment and effectiveness in their efforts to reduce road trauma. The Australasian College of Road Safety first instituted the award of College Fellow in 1991.
Fellows must be acknowledged by colleagues and co-workers as outstanding by virtue of contributions to road safety rather than their position. The contributions must be of such a nature that they have led to substantial growth and improvement in an important institution or organisation, body of knowledge or aspect of thought and practice associated with road safety. The award recipient is presented with a plaque and citation – there is no financial reward – but it is the College’s highest honour.