“I pretty much owe my life, owe it all to you blokes,” he told them.
The once-rising footy star returned to RPH, not for a check-up, but to share his story with teens in the PARTY Program – Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth.
“I’m here to talk about my story, what I’ve been through,” he told the school students.
“It definitely changed my life. I lost one of my good mates in the crash too, it’s really hard for me and his family who I’ve gotten quite close to.”
PARTY Program manager Lola Sikora said students needed to hear from victims like Rowe.
“A split second decision pushed by peer pressure can actually change the trajectory of not their life but their friend’s life,” Sikora said.
“Having presenters that have suffered brain injury or spinal cord injury is really powerful because the students see the impact it has on their life.”
Rowe hopes teens who hear his message change their driving behaviour.
“Hopefully they’re going to walk away from this and not just think about my story but think about what would happen with their families if they were in my shoes,” Rowe said.
The 17-year-old driver accused of manslaughter over Nick Campo’s death is behind bars.
Rowe wants tougher laws for P-Platers, including stricter mobile phone use, limits on modified cars and more police on WA roads.
“I reckon I’ve seen more cops in Narrogin than I have in Perth… I just think a lot more cops on the road, as much as everyone doesn’t like it, will keep the road toll down,” Rowe said.
On Thursday Road Safety Minister David Michael launched the new Red Plate, One Mate campaign to spread the message about WA’s new P-plater laws coming into effect from December 1.
From December 1 red P-plate drivers will be restricted to carrying only one passenger in their vehicles at all times.
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