AS the state's Minister for Regional Roads, Paul Toole is well aware of the profound impact road trauma has on families and the broader community.
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And this week that impact was driven home after his eldest child, Rhayne, was hit by an SUV while riding his motorcycle on Stockland Drive on Wednesday afternoon.
While Rhayne suffered serious leg injuries in the collision, the 18-year-old was incredibly lucky; his bike ended up underneath the car, but Rhayne didn't.
Rhayne was taken to Orange Base Hospital where he underwent surgery on Wednesday night and will make a full recovery.
Mr Toole said while has been an advocate for road safety for many years in his work as a politician, the past few days have reinforced to him how a split-second decision on the roads can change a person's life forever.
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In his role as Regional Roads Minister, Mr Toole receives a message every time a life is lost on our roads and, like every parent, he prays his children will never be the subject of that text.
But too many families aren't that lucky.
"It's really tough (getting those messages). These are young people, family members, kids and older people," Mr Toole said.
"It's terrible knowing the impact that person's death will have on so many people.
"As a dad with kids, it's important to get the message out there, this can happen to anyone.
Speaking as a father, Mr Toole recalled getting the phone call on Wednesday telling him his son had been in a serious crash.
Every single time we get behind the wheel of a car or motorbike, a split-second decision can have fatal consequences.
- Paul Toole
He said his initial reaction was shock. His heart started racing and he had to take a few deep breaths.
"All I wanted to know was if he was okay and, if there was anyone else involved, were they okay," Mr Toole said.
"In our case we were very lucky. Rhayne was injured but he will get to come home. Lots of parents aren't that lucky.
"They get the call I received but that call then haunts them forever."
Mr Toole said his experience this week was a reminder of the need for everyone to be careful on our roads.
"It's easy to think we are bullet proof or we are a good driver and it's fine to keep going even if we are a little bit tired, but you just can't do it," he said.
"Every single time we get behind the wheel of a car or motorbike, a split-second decision can have fatal consequences.
"After Wednesday, as a father, this hits closer to home. You worry about your kids when they go out in a car or get on a motor bike, then you see the impact of fatalities in the community, the ripple effect they have on so many people.
"There is always someone who knows the person, whether it's in a sporting organisation or the community. It goes well beyond family and friends.
"The ripple effect on first responders, the men and women, locals who turn up to scenes like my son's crash, often they will know the person and it's quite confronting."
This was true in Rhayne's case, with Mr Toole's sister, a local police officer, among police responding to the crash.
"Carmel was there, the other guys also knew him," he said.
Mr Toole thanked the paramedics and police who attended his son's crash, saying they were "amazing"
"They really do wonderful work," he said.
"They were quick on the scene and did an amazing job providing care and support immediately.
"In our situation, we are lucky Rhayne is okay."
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