Natalie Sonenko implores road users to drive safely at launch of Rural Road Safety Month

A Cairns mother who lost her son in a tragic, fatal road accident has made an emotional speech, imploring young motorists to take road safety seriously. Read what she said.

FEBRUARY 18, 2022, became the worst day of Cairns mother Natalie Sonenko’s life when she received news her son had perished in a road accident.

Today, at Glenoma Park for the launch of Rural Road Safety Month, Ms Sonenko spoke publicly about her loss for the first time.

“I’m here to tell my story … to spread the awareness in hope it helps prevent disaster in the future, to prevent even one family from going through the anguish I go through every day.

Mother Natalie Sonenko who lost her son to a rural road accident earlier this year in the field of hearts commemorating all those who have died on Australian roads last year. Picture: Brian Cassey

“If I can change one fatal accident in the future, then my son’s death won’t be in vain.”

Natalie’s son Drew died on February 17 when he lost control of his car on a corrugated dirt road in the Northern Territory.

“He wasn’t wearing his seatbelt. He wasn’t speeding, he didn’t have alcohol or banned substances in his system. He just wasn’t wearing his seatbelt,” Ms Sonenko said, holding her tears at bay.

“He would go out of his way to help anyone … he was loved by so many.

Natalie Sonenko's son Drew Blair. Picture: Supplied

“As a mum I am so proud of Drew. He grew into an amazing young man in his short but wonderful life.

“There’s no manual on being a parent, and there certainly is no manual telling you how to say goodbye to your child.

“I was one of those people who said ‘it will never happen to me’, but sadly it did.

Cairns mother Natalie Sonenko pins a piece of the road safety puzzle after recounting the story of losing her son to a road accident earlier this year. Picture: Brian Cassey

“I ask all of you … please don’t be complacent. Put your seatbelt on. Speeding won’t get you there any quicker … you never know what can happen.

“We all have a responsibility to drive safe.”

The Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) unveiled an installation at Glenoma Park in Brinsmead that represents the lives lost on Australian roads in 2021.

ARSF CEO Russell White talks about Queensland's rural road death toll. Picture: Brian Cassey

Russell White, CEO of ARSF, said Ms Sonenko’s example reinforced why the situation on rural roads was in desperate need of change.

“That same story is repeated more than 1000 times across the country,” he said.

“We’re asking everybody to take ownership of the road safety issue.”

So far 20 lives have been lost on FNQ roads in 2022, up by more than 50 per cent on this time last year.

Acting Inspector Scott Derrington said it was too early to establish a clear reason for this rise in fatalities but said North Queenslanders habitually travelled long distances on rural roads.

“Our North Queensland culture can lend itself to being a bit more casual in certain places,” he said.

“I’m talking about situations where people might feel because they’re isolated and not under the view of police they might not wear a seatbelt or they drive a bit faster.”

Originally published as Natalie Sonenko implores road users to drive safely at launch of Rural Road Safety Month