As clubs across WA gear up for this weekend’s Belt Up Round, Peel United Amateur player Blake Diggin has spoken about the night he was literally thrust into the road safety discussion.
Blake and his colleague were two minutes from their work, waiting at traffic lights on Anketell Road, when the screech of tyres preceded an unavoidable impact which sent his vehicle hurtling across the road.
In Blake’s words, his car was by “T-boned” a speeding drunk-driver.
“He moved our car about 20 metres from stationary,” Blake said.
“I don’t remember getting hit to where we stopped moving. But once we’d stopped moving, I just kind of got out the car to see if my mate was alright and then I guess went into a little bit of shock and didn’t really know what had just happened.”
What had just happened was that Blake’s Mitsubishi Lancer had been written off – and he almost was, too. A deep gash above his left eye showed how near he had been to losing an eye.
His seatbelt was possibly the difference between life and death. Blake says if he wasn’t wearing one, he would have been “halfway across the road or squished in the car”.
He said: “Always wear your seatbelt, you don’t really know where or when these things are going to happen … I was two minutes from work. You really don’t know.”
Each year Football West and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia urge motorists to wear a seatbelt through a number of initiatives, including Belt Up Round.
Commission Secretary Kane Blackman said: “The Insurance Commission is proud to support Football West through the Belt Up campaign.
“Not wearing a seatbelt can significantly increase the severity of injuries sustained in a car crash. And last year, 95 people weren’t wearing a seatbelt when they were killed or seriously injured in a car crash. That’s over seven football teams.
“They could have been your teammates, your family or your friends. You wouldn’t hit the pitch without shinpads, so don’t drive without a seatbelt.
“We wish all teams participating in the Belt Up round the best of luck. Stay safe on the pitch, look out for each other on our roads – and Belt Up!”
Mr Blackman today joined Football West staff members to promote Belt Up Round.
All senior clubs from Men’s and Women’s NPL to metro and regional Masters will be involved in this weekend’s Belt Up Round.
The Football West team will be at a number of games this Saturday and Sunday to help share the message.
Filed Under: Amateur Master Metro Cup