James Thompson named Ambassador for Amber Community’s 2026 Shine a Light on Road Safety Campaign.
Amber Community is honoured to announce that James Thompson has been named the Ambassador for the 2026 Shine a Light on Road Safety campaign.
Rather than being defined by a motorcycle crash in 2002 that changed James’ life forever, James has turned adversity into purpose, courageously sharing his story to raise awareness and prevent road trauma as an Ambassador for Shine a Light on Road Safety, inspiring the community to slow down, think twice, and help save lives
Shine a Light on Road Safety – a campaign for change
Amber Community’s Shine a Light on Road Safety campaign is an annual initiative to raise awareness about road trauma, support those affected, raise vital funds for counselling, support, and education, and drive positive change for safer roads throughout the month of May.
On Sunday 24 May 2026, join us at Albert Park Lake to Walk & Wheel, or Fundraise Your Way in your local community. James will be sharing his story and message on road safety at the Walk & Wheel event.
The welcome desk opens at 10am, speeches begin at 11am, and the walk starts at 11.30am. You can walk, wheel around on your bicycle, wheelchair or mobility scooter or push a pram.
By shining a light on road safety, we aim to honour those impacted by road trauma and drive for meaningful change on our roads.
A personal commitment to road safety
After a split‑second decision to rush through an amber light in 2002 changed his life forever, James Thompson now uses his lived experience to help others make safer choices on the road. The Melbourne father of two survived a devastating motorcycle crash that left him with serious brain injuries, permanent vision loss in one eye and ongoing nerve damage requiring lifelong rehabilitation, ending his apprenticeship and resulting in significant medical costs.
Rather than being defined by the crash, James has transformed adversity into purpose. His instinct for service – first shaped during his time in the Australian Army – only deepened in the years that followed. The crash became a turning point, reinforcing his belief that a meaningful life is one lived in service to others. From that moment, he committed himself to giving back wherever he could.
He joined the CFA, became a regular blood donor, and dedicated himself to Amber Community, courageously sharing his story to raise awareness of road trauma. Each of these actions is rooted in the same truth: he is here today because others stepped in when he needed them most.
“All of this goes back to the people who saved me,” James says. “There’s a drive to make good my debt to the paramedics and doctors who kept me alive. I owe them my life, and I try to honour that every day.”
That sense of repayment – combined with his lifelong commitment to service – sits at the heart of everything he does.
As an Ambassador for Amber Community’s Shine a Light on Road Safety campaign, James inspires the community to slow down, think twice, and help save lives, using his experience to educate and prevent road trauma.
A legacy of advocacy and action
We extend our deepest gratitude to James for his tireless work, commitment, and leadership in promoting road safety and supporting those affected by road trauma. His dedication is making a real difference, and we are proud to have him as the Ambassador of the 2026 Shine a Light on Road Safety campaign.
Shine a Light on Road Safety is proudly sponsored by:
Adica Insurance | EastLink | Smart Start Interlocks | Slater & Gordon Lawyers | Polaris Lawyers | Henry Carus + Associates | Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers | Nevin Lenne Gross Lawyers | Law Partners | Transport Accident Commission | Foundstone
