Nick Campo: State Government throws support behind road safety campaign being pushed by Nick Campo’s parents

The State Government and the Road Safety Commission have thrown their support behind a new road safety campaign being championed by the stoic parents of Nick Campo — who was killed in a horror crash at the weekend. The Campo’s courageous push to get WA drivers to behave better on the roads in the wake of their son’s tragic passing couldn’t come at a more pressing time — with the WA road toll officially hitting 100 on Friday. Nick, an 18-year-old aspiring young footballer with South Fremantle colts, was a passenger in a Toyota Hilux when it crashed on Farrington Road in North Lake before ploughing into a Jeep Patriot about 11.40pm on Saturday. The 17-year-old driver, who cannot be named because of his age, has since been charged with dangerous driving causing both Nick’s death and the injuries suffered by his other teenage passengers and those in the second car. It is understood speed is being investigated as a possible factor in the crash. Nick’s father Daniel Campo on Thursday said he was determined to launch his own road safety campaign called “Call out for Nick” - which will advocate for people to “call out” bad behaviour on the roads. “It’s not going to stop overnight, but it’s our job now to try to make a difference,” he said. “We’re going to start a campaign to please implore everyone, please, it’s got to stop.” Mr Campo’s vow to educate WA drivers to become better motorists comes as the WA road toll hit the dreaded century mark this week. As of Friday, 100 people had died on WA roads — 20 more than this time last year. Fifty-nine of the 100 fatalities this year have been on country WA roads. In response to Campo’s road safety campaign, Road Safety Minister David Michael said both he and the Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner were keen to meet with the Campo family. “I want to send my sincerest and deepest condolences to the Campo family at what must be a devastating time for them,” Mr Michael said. “No parent should have to go through the loss of a child on our roads but tragically so many do. “I, and the Road Safety Commissioner, would welcome an opportunity to meet with the Campo family. “I recognise and thank them for their courage and determination to save other young lives during their time of grief. “I am always open to consider new ways to improve road safety and prevent deaths and serious injuries on our roads.” Mr Warner said the agency was “committed to targeting young people through a number of campaigns on digital and social channels and in schools.” “But we also need to address the road safety culture in WA,” Mr Warner said. “We want everybody to ask themselves, ‘what can I do to make this journey safe’? ‘What can we do to make every journey safe’”? Minister for Emergency Services Stephen Dawson has also backed the Campo family in their efforts. “I do acknowledge their bravery and certainly the government are happy to work with them,” Mr Dawson said. “We have to stop young people from dying on our roads. Far too many do at the moment.” One of Nick’s South Fremantle colts teammates Tyler Rowe remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit at Royal Perth Hospital after he was seriously injured in Saturday’s crash. Despite the tragedy, the South Fremantle Bulldogs colts footy team have made the brave decision to play Subiaco on Saturday morning at 9am. In a statement issued on Friday the South Fremantle Football Club said both the Campo family and its playing squad had shown a “strong desire” for the game to go ahead. “Following all available welfare advice and with our players’ strong desire to honour their mate at the forefront of our decision, the South Fremantle vs Subiaco colts game will proceed,” the statement read. “Our priority remains our players, staff and families involved in this terrible tragedy, and as such, we fully support taking the field tomorrow. “We welcome attendance from anyone within the community wishing to pay tribute to Nick.”