String of stockings is a warning about one of Australia’s deadliest problems

What seems like a festive string of stockings in the lead up to Christmas is actually a heartbreaking reminder of one of the country’s deadliest issues.

On Monday, 91 brightly coloured Christmas stockings were hung up in a park overlooking Sydney Harbour.

To many it could look like a sign of festive spirit, but in reality it’s a stark reminder of the lives lost on the country’s roads between December 18, 2017 and January 7, 2018. 

The Australian Road Safety Foundation, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and New South Wales Police came together in an effort to reduce Christmas tragedy (pictured founder and chief executive of ARSF Russell White)

New South Wales recorded a horror festive season on the roads last year with 34 lives claimed in the state over the short period. 

The Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF), Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and New South Wales Police came together in an effort to reduce Christmas tragedy.

Through hanging the stockings, road authorities are hoping the powerful road safety reminder will urge the nation’s drivers to take caution.

Out of the 91 people who lost their life on the roads last Christmas season, the youngest was just seven years old.

As the 2018 road toll sits at 1050 deaths, there are numerous families around the country having the face Christmas without a loved one this year. 

ARSF founder and CEO Russell White said the 91 Christmas stockings would hopefully encourage Australians to do everything in their power to save lives.

New South Wales recorded a horror festive season on the roads last year with 34 lives claimed in the state over the short period

Through hanging the stockings, road authorities are hoping the powerful road safety reminder will urge the nation’s drivers to take caution (pictured a horrific crash in Wollongong in October) 

In a statement, Mr White said he hopes the decorations hang as a solemn reminder for all who use the roads as Christmas should be a time of love and laughter, not loss of life. 

‘End of year exhaustion, increased drivers on unfamiliar roads and a spike in drink and drug driving are the major factors, so we all need to take responsibility to ensure we are fit to drive, not distracted and taking extra caution,’ Mr White said

‘It’s heartbreaking to think that for 91 more families, the holiday season will now forever be marred by the memory of losing someone precious to them.’

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said the state’s drivers need to get rid of the ‘it won’t happen to me’ mentality.

As the 2018 road toll sits at 1050 deaths, there are numerous families around the country having the face Christmas without a loved one this year (pictured a horrific crash from November that killed two high school sweethearts in Adelaide)

‘Of course no driver deliberately sets off looking for a crash, but every time someone speeds, picks up their mobile phone, or drives tired or inhibited it increases the risk,’ Mr Corboy said.

‘People need to realise that the broader impact of road trauma goes beyond just the road toll – countless others are seriously, often permanently injured, families are torn apart and our first responders must carry with them the experience of these horrific scenes for the rest of their life.’

‘If today’s installation stops just one driver, pedestrian or cyclist from taking a risk, and prevents just one fatal or serious crash, it is worth it.’ 

ARSF founder and CEO Russell White said the 91 Christmas stockings would hopefully encourage Australians to do everything in their power to save lives