The mother of a teenager involved in a near-fatal car accident, has called for cargo barriers to be compulsory.

Vicki Melonas, of Canberra, says the Milford cargo barrier fitted to the family's Falcon station wagon saved her son, Adam, in a serious accident after he fell asleep at the wheel. An apprentice chef aged 19, Adam was travelling to Melbourne to begin a new job, when he fell victim to fatigue near Seymour on the Hume Highway. His vehicle slammed head-on into a large gum tree and his injuries put him in hospital for four days. The station wagon was wrecked.

The Milford cargo barrier in the XF Falcon wagon was bent badly, but it stopped over 150 kg. of Adam's luggage, including a stereo unit, chef's knives, kitchen equipment and suitcases from hurtling into the passenger compartment. Mrs Melonas believes this fast-moving luggage would have killed Adam if they had not installed the Milford cargo barrier.

A mother of three children, Mrs Melonas is of the opinion that all station wagons, vans and 4WDs carrying cargo should have an approved cargo barrier fitted. She points out that the seat belt and the cargo barrier are responsible for Adam being alive today, but only the use of seat belts is compulsory.

"Unrestrained loads are a potential killer and we have the world's best barriers available right here in Australia," she says. "Why not make them a mandatory item in all goods-carrying vehicles?"

It's food for thought from one who almost experienced a mother's worst nightmare, and it's an issue the transport authorities should consider seriously. Details on the accident, and information about Milford cargo barriers, are available on the Milford website, www.cargobarrier.com. Enquiries relating to Milford's national network of fitting agents can be directed to their free call number, 1800 683 577.