Fatality Free Friday 27 May 2011

The shoes are laid out in the hearts of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as a reminder of the 1,500 people killed each year on the country's roads, as well as a rallying call for the fifth annual running of Fatality Free Friday.

The event is supported at all levels from workplaces to schools and local councils, with more than 27,000 people also pledging their individual support.

This year the Salvation Army is making a big commitment by providing the shoes - all pre-owned, on a use-and-return program - for the three individual installations of 1,500 pairs.

"This is definitely our biggest year. And it's getting bigger every year," says Russell White, a road safety expert who is the founder of Fatality Free Friday. "Each pair of shoes represents someone killed each year on the road.  It's a very moving reminder when you see all those empty shoes and think of a person who should be wearing them."

White says the event has grown rapidly since the original installation of shoes in Brisbane, with Sydney joining the Queensland and Victorian capitals this year.

"We'll have an installation for the first time in Circular Quay, in addition to Federation Square in Melbourne and the top of the Queen Street mall in Brisbane," he says. "There are a stack of other regional events, too. We've got support from councils, schools and individual workplaces."

White says the message for Fatality Free Friday is simple.

"We want people to think consciously about their road use. They could be on two feet, two wheels, four wheels or more, and it's about little things like courtesy, patience, looking ahead in traffic," he says. "These are the sorts of things that start to shape a behavioural change. I like to treat it like Clean Up Australia Day or Red Nose Day, where people get a reminder on the day and so do something a bit different the next day. Lots of people are passionate about road safety and this helps them take the first step."

"Statistically, five or six people die every Friday in Australia. If we can save those lives and build from there it would be a bonus."

White says the impact and success of the Australia event could see it expanding internationally in the next couple of years.

"We're getting interest from Canada, the Middle East and the UK. It would be good to see it heading overseas as well."

For more information, visit the Fatality Free Friday website.