Drive smart and protect your brain

Every time you’re in a car, whether you’re driving or just along for the ride, you’re making choices that can protect your brain and save lives. A crash can cause a brain injury in seconds, changing how you think, feel, move, or remember, sometimes forever. This page will help you understand what brain injury is, how it happens on the road, and how to make smart, safe choices as both a driver and a passenger.

Speak up, belt up, and look out for each other.

Brain Injury Basics

Understanding the nervous system

The nervous system is a complex system including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. It interprets and responds to information received through the senses.

Understanding the brain

The brain controls and coordinates everything we do - our movements, feelings, thoughts, and bodily functions.

What is brain injury?

Brain injury includes a number of conditions and disorders that result in impairment to the brain and its functions.

Personal stories - TBI from motor accidents

Sarah’s story

Sarah was just driving home, one week after she had just gotten engaged to her now husband, when she had a near fatal car crash.

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Will’s story

In 1997, Will was in a major motor vehicle accident that changed the course of his life. He lost his right leg at the hip and sustained a brain injury, spending six weeks in a coma.

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Bianca’s story

In 2018, life was just beginning to fall into place for Bianca. She had recently adopted a puppy named Chuck, had plans to study psychology, and felt excited about her future. Then came the car crash. “I woke up in hospital six days later, I had no idea what had happened.”

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Tom’s story

In 2016, 18-year-old Tom Spratt was driving to Newcastle to attend university when he fell asleep at the wheel and was hit by a passing motorist. Tom woke in hospital to find he had sustained a traumatic brain injury.

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