Jessica Frazer never expected to be touched by the tragedy of a road death, like most people she thought it was something that only happened to others.
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That was until 2012 when her younger sister, Sarah, and a tow truck driver were struck and killed by a truck on the Hume Highway near Mittagong after she broke down on the side of the road.
The tragedy inspired Sarah's father, Peter Frazer, to establish Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH), dedicate the week leading up to Mother's Day each year to National Road Safety Week and lobby the NSW government for wider breakdown lanes.
"Everyone knows somebody who has had an accident or had something bad happen, but I also know when you're driving and you want to reach for a bottle of water, everyone gets distracted," Ms Frazer said at the launch.
"Those little things are so unconscious… but all it takes is two seconds… and you can change somebody's life forever."
An average of 11 deaths and more than 800 injuries occurred on ACT roads annually over the past five years.
The death of a driver in Holt on Sunday night was the ACT's fourth road death for 2015.
"There will be family and friends across the city this week grieving that loss," Justice Minister Shane Rattenbury said.
"This underlines the importance of road safety, of taking that extra time on the road, driving to the conditions and driving to the speed limit."
In 2014, there were 7782 crashes reported in the ACT causing 829 casualties, 10 deaths and 125 hospital admissions.
In 2013 there were more crashes (7863) and hospital admissions (140), but less casualties (792) and deaths (seven).
But 2012 was one of the worst years of recent times with 8312 crashes causing 892 casualties 12 deaths and 210 hospital admissions.
As part of road safety week all road users are encouraged to take a pledge to share the road and use a yellow ribbon as a symbol of their commitment.
"Yellow used to be Sarah's favourite colour when she was young and it's also obviously a recognisable colour for safety as well," Ms Frazer said.
Mr Rattenbury said the majority of ACT roads had "good space" for when drivers broke down, with newer roads like the Majura Parkway designed to the latest standard, but some older roads posed a safety risk.
To coincide with road safety week several Canberra icons including the Telstra Tower, Questacon, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery, the Mint, National Archives and Old Parliament House will be lit in yellow each night.
To take the pledge and go into the draw to win a number of prizes, Canberrans can visit the Justice and Community Safety Directorate's tent at Westfield Woden on May 7 from 12pm to 1.30pm.
