Supporting people bereaved or injured by road crashes, and campaigning for justice, rights and recognition for road crash victims, and road danger reduction.
The word 'accident' suggests something unintentional, and beyond control...
Trains and planes 'crash', but road collisions are often referred to as 'accidents'.
Changing language is vital to change attitudes.
We were saddened by the release of the DfT casualty data today, which confirmed that 29,742 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2022 alone.
We must address this public health issue immediately.
Sarah nearly got run over on her way to work. Alex was in a bus crash. They're both working in intensive care fighting COVID-19 and have got a message for the drivers who are speeding during lockdown. ***Please watch and share.***
Shocking. Someone convicted of killing a child, leaving them at the roadside, avoids proper punishment.
A suspended sentence is as far from justice as it gets, that's why we're stepping up our Fix Our Broken Justice System campaign.
Using 'accident' to describe a crash presumes no one was at fault, and implies the crash was unexpected and unavoidable. In reality, road deaths are preventable and often caused by the actions of drivers, and failures in infrastructure. It's time to end the language of denial
Using 'accident' to describe a crash presumes no one was at fault, and implies the crash was unexpected and unavoidable. In reality, road deaths are preventable and often caused by the actions of drivers, the failure of our transport systems and an inadequate legal system.
Many of our members take deep offence at road crashes being called accidents. It trivialises the enormous grief and suffering caused on our roads. That kind of trauma cannot be compared with everyday accidents like spilling a drink.
#crashnotaccident
Today is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims – a poignant reminder that almost 4,000 lives are lost every single day on roads across globe and of the ripple effect of grief that extends through families and communities:
#WDoR2023
#5DeathsADay
Using 'accident' to describe a crash presumes no fault, and implies that it was unexpected and unavoidable. In reality, road deaths are preventable, often caused by the actions of drivers, and the failure of our transport and legal system. It's time to end the language of denial.
We're horrified by these reckless and flippant comments.
@BCPCouncil
, please tell us how you will address this? This clip, with your branding on it, is highly damaging. Shockingly,
@cllrDove
is
the chair of your Children's Services Committee
@BBCDorset
@Bournemouthecho
I just had to clip this and post it. She actually does say this. “I’ve seen children hit by a bus and they’ve bounced up and asked if they could have a milkshake please”
Well done
@AndyCoxDCS
for your
#HighwaysHeroes
Award tonight, in recognition of your passion and commitment to reducing road harm and for raising £150k for RoadPeace! Thank you! You’re our hero 💜
Speed limiters to be fitted to new cars from 2022. So many people will benefit from this. Whilst it sadly comes too late for the 1000s who have had loved ones killed by speeding drivers, we are united in our desire to see others spared from suffering
Great to see
@cyclinguk
calling for an end to the demonisation of active travel.
The new Government has to take heed of these warnings to stop the stigma attached to cycling and walking policies, so all of us can share the roads peacefully.
Using 'accident' to describe a crash presumes no one was at fault, and implies the crash was unexpected and unavoidable. In reality, road deaths are preventable and often caused by the actions of drivers and the failure of our transport systems. End the language of denial
Truly depressing that
@JuliaBradbury
doesn't consider speeding an offence worth police time. Five people are on average killed on Britain's roads every day - we invite her to meet with crash victims who have lost loved ones through speeding.
Using 'accident' to describe a crash presumes no one was at fault, and implies the crash was unexpected and unavoidable. In reality, road deaths are preventable and often caused by poor driving, and the failure of our transport and legal systems.
#crashnotaccident
Thank you to
@laura_laker
for highlighting just how many people are killed and seriously injured on our roads in crashes every year in the UK.
Congratulations on her new book 👏
Absolutely fascinating today
@BBCRadio2
—
@NigelHaversUK
in the studio to complain about the behaviour of cyclists, along with
@laura_laker
who has written
#PotholesAndPavements
disagreeing that they offend more than any other road user.
Really worth hearing this exchange —
Well over half a million people have been killed in Britain since the first British death; Bridget Driscoll on August 17 1896. The coroner said he hoped "such a thing would never happen again".
How very wrong he was.
#nationalroadvictimmonth
Thank you to Calvin Buckley for sharing his story so articulately this morning.
A vehicle is a lethal weapon and anybody who kills by driving recklessly should be dealt with as severely as somebody who kills with a gun or a knife
#RoadCrimeIsRealCrime
#FixOurBrokenJusticeSystem
'If people aren't getting tougher sentences they're going to keep doing it'
Calvin Buckley, whose pregnant partner Frankie Jules-Hough was killed by a driver who filmed himself speeding at 123mph, told
#BBCBreakfast
a 12 year jail sentence is 'insulting'
Thank you
@andy4wm
and
@adamtranter
for your swift action with this. More people die in road collisions than as a result of murder and terrorism combined. Yet it’s doubtful the latter would have been reported on so trivially
Road danger is not a trivial matter. I've written with
@adamtranter
+
@RoadPeace
to the BBC on how they reported on this recent collision.
This kind of reporting fails to acknowledge the trauma and long-lasting impact collisions have on victims, families and communities.
Using 'accident' to describe a crash implies no one was at fault, and that the crash was unexpected and unavoidable. Road deaths are preventable and often caused by the actions of drivers, and the failure of our transport and legal systems. It's time to end the language of denial
Many of our members take deep offence at road crashes being called accidents. It trivialises the enormous grief and suffering caused on our roads. That kind of trauma cannot be compared with everyday accidents like spilling a drink.
Using 'accident' to describe a crash presumes no one was at fault, and implies the crash was unexpected and unavoidable. In reality, road deaths are preventable and often caused by the negligence of drivers, the failure of our transport systems and an inadequate legal system.
It is with deep sadness that we announce Pauline Fielding MBE has died.
Pauline was a long-standing member of RoadPeace, the coordinator of the RoadPeace NorthWest local group and a Trustee.
Pauline gave so much to so many, and will be greatly missed
People who kill with guns, knives and other lethal weapons get long custodial sentences. But dangerous drivers who kill get far shorter sentences, and some avoid jail altogether. Our new campaign asks: "What exactly does a driver have to do to get life?"
Thank you
@adamtranter
and
@birmingham_live
for this powerful piece - every newspaper should feature a front page like this showing the stark reality of road death👇
Our thoughts are with the victims' loved ones. We are here to support them if they it - helpline
@roadpeace
.org 💜
Today’s powerful front page of the Birmingham Mail.
These crashes are not one-off isolated incidents. Together, the faces of those who have lost their lives on our roads, show us the city needs to urgently change; reminding us of the scale of hurt for families and communities.
#LanguageMatters
. In our latest guest blog, journalist Laura Laker tells us how she is revamping the road crash media reporting guidelines, and how she is seeking the support of the emergency services and press teams:
#CrashNotAccident
In case anyone is in any doubt... don't drive to test your eyes.
It really shows how much society tolerates the devastation caused by road danger when senior government officials feel this is appropriate behaviour.
"The Oxford Dictionary defines an accident as an event that is without apparent cause or that is unexpected. Its use in the context of child road deaths could not be more inappropriate. More is known about when, where and why child pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions occur, (1/2)
We want to express our gratitude to
@kimleadbeater
after her
#GraduatedDrivingLicensing
bill passed the first hurdle in Parliament. Thank you to the many families who have led this campaign for years. Their dedication and resilience are truly inspiring:
"The Oxford Dictionary defines an accident as an event that is without apparent cause or that is unexpected. Its use in the context of child road deaths could not be more inappropriate.
Congratulations to our fantastic trustee Pauline Fielding, who has been awarded an MBE for her services to road safety. Pauline has campaigned tirelessly since her son Andrew was killed in a crash in 1994. Thank you for all you do Pauline
Wise words this week from CC Jo Shiner, who shares our calls for tougher sentences for dangerous drivers.
She told the media that drink and drug drivers who kill should face the same punishment as murderers
#FixOurBrokenJusticeSystem
The term ‘road accident’ exemplifies society’s tolerance of road danger.
RoadPeace is pleased to see government listening to the voices of road crash victims who find the word accident upsetting.
#crashnotaccident
Today is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Today we are remembering all those affected by crashes and calling for more support for road traffic victims and their families.
Remember. Support. Act.
People who kill with guns, knives and other lethal weapons get long custodial sentences. But dangerous drivers who kill get far shorter sentences, and some avoid jail altogether. Our new campaign asks: "What exactly does a driver have to do to get life?"
People who kill with guns, knives and other lethal weapons get long custodial sentences. But dangerous drivers who kill get far shorter sentences, and some avoid jail altogether. Our new campaign asks: "What exactly does a driver have to do to get life?"
A letter to MPs about
#DominicCummings
and
@michaelgove
from a member whose brother was killed in a crash. Please share. It's not OK that those in charge of keeping us safe think driving to test your eyes is acceptable. It's an insult to those who have been killed or injured.
Driving bans are underused and often far too short. 134mph shows a complete disregard for the life of others. And 6 months for the offence shows that the justice system considers driving as a right, not a licensed activity which causes devastation every day.
*Extreme speeding - sentencing update*
A 45yr old male speeding at 134mph (40mph zone) on the
#A10
in March this year has been sentenced to a 6 month ban with £382 in fines and costs. This is the maximum ban under current sentencing guidelines.
#London
#RoadSafety
#VisionZeroLDN
Well over half a million people have been killed in Britain since the first British death involving a motor vehicle; Bridget Driscoll on August 17 1896. The coroner said he hoped "such a thing would never happen again".
How very wrong he was.
#nationalroadvictimmonth
On this day in 1896, Bridget Driscoll was walking in Crystal Palace Park, London, with her family, when she became the first pedestrian to be killed by a car.
At the inquest into her death, the coroner said he hoped such a tragedy "would never happen again..."
Every day in the UK, five people die in a road crash. Please join us this Sunday on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims for an online service to remember and honour their lives:
#WDoR2020
#5aday
#rememberme
Cyclist Lorraine Barrow was killed by a speeding driver. The woman at the wheel was allowed to drive unrestricted for 13 months after Lorraine’s death, until she was sentenced. Her husband Chris explains why we need to urgently
#FixOurBrokenJusticeSystem
There is a clear link between lower speed limits and the reduction of road casualties. Maintaining the status quo is not an option - far too many people are being needlessly killed and injured on our roads. We must not ignore the evidence we have.
Jonathan Laycock
Died age 21 on 5th June 1987
Killed in Farringdon Road by an overtaking skip lorry driver while cycling to work
Always remembered by family and friends, love endures
#rememberme
#5deathsaday
#WDoR2021
Today is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Join with us in honouring the 5 people killed in crashes every day in the UK - and the 1.24 million people killed annually on the world's roads. Together let's demand safer streets for all
#WDoR2018
Please show your support for the many road crash victims and bereaved families who are courageously sharing their stories to prevent others from walking in their shoes to mark the
#RoadPeaceChallenge
2023:
#VictimsVoice
@AndyCoxDCS
It's Day 3 of the
#RoadPeaceChallenge
2023.
Thank you to Sgt Paul Cording from
@NYorksPolice
for introducing today's theme - Prioritise Vehicle Safety Technology. Please support him and the many emergency services taking part this week:
@OscarRomeo1268
What a huge achievement
@AndyCoxDCS
- 200km finished today!
So special to have the run finish at the RoadPeace Wood at the
@Nat_Mem_Arb
, where families bereaved by road crashes can dedicate a tree to their loved one.
Still time to donate to Andy
- Road traffic collisions are the leading cause of death among children and young people aged 5-29 years
- In the event of a crash - the higher the speed, the higher the injury severity
- The frequency of crashes increases with the speed of traffic
In memory of my son and Emma’s brother, Christopher Gray, who died 2nd August 2000 aged 18 after fighting for his life for 10 1/2 weeks at the Royal Free Hospital, having been knocked down by a speeding car.
RIP Darling Christopher. 💙🖤♥️
#WDoR2022
#RememberMe
#5deathsaday
RoadPeace is proud to be one of more than 70 organisations supporting a groundbreaking manifesto calling for immediate and strategic action to address the persistent issue of road fatalities and serious injuries in the UK:
#GraduatedDrivingLicensing
“We must continue the fight and keep those with the power accountable for the unacceptable number of deaths and injuries on our roads.” Det Chief Supt Andy Cox. Read Andy's blog on what the future holds following the
#RoadPeaceChallenge
2023:
Clara and Alice Greenwood
Memories of happy days at the Yorkshire coast
A few months later Alice was dead (left) and Clara (right) was seriously injured, hit by speeding drivers
Clara thriving; Alice missed every minute of every day
#rememberme
#5deathsaday
#WDoR2021
Martyn Gall
Killed on 14/11/2020
Husband, Dad, son, brother, uncle, best friend. Lived for his family and left us with amazing memories. He will cycle on in our hearts.
#RememberMe
#5deathsaday
#WDoR2021
We welcome today's parliamentary debate on lifetime driving bans. Only five drivers were given lifetime driving bans in England and Wales in 2018. Drivers convicted of causing death by dangerous driving should never be allowed back on our roads again:
Shocking article from
#gilescoren
for
@thetimes
. Intimidating people with your vehicle, excessive speeding and dangerous driving should not be trivialised. Five people are killed every day in Britain. We and
@Brakecharity
invite you to speak to bereaved families.
@TfL
Today at our AGM we are delighted to be presenting
@AndyCoxDCS
with the Mansoor Chaudhry Award in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding contribution to RoadPeace by raising an incredible £53,000 to help us support crash victims
#AndyCox200km
"The Oxford Dictionary defines an accident as an event that is without apparent cause or that is unexpected. Its use in the context of child road deaths could not be more inappropriate. More is known about..." 1/
To mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims today, members of the RoadPeace West Midlands and West Mercia local group have released a series of poignant videos explaining what the day means to them. Watch them all here:
#WDoR2023
#5DeathsADay
Today is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims where we honour the 1.2 million killed and the many many more injured in crashes annually on the world's roads
#WdoR2017
Yet again the justice system fails crash victims. We agree with
@Chris_Boardman
that sentencing should reflect the crime and would argue that using your phone while driving should have been prosecuted as dangerous driving, not careless driving:
People who kill with guns or knives get long custodial sentences, but dangerous drivers who kill get far shorter sentences. Our
#FixOurBrokenJusticeSystem
campaign was launched to highlight how the system fails road crash victims and call for change:
A powerful documentary about the troubling issue of young driver road deaths. Graduated Driving Licensing has drastically reduced young driver deaths in other countries. How many more young people have to be killed before we act here? Watch: Please share
'Accident’ suggests something unintentional, and beyond control. It is, as one of our
members has said, a description with an excuse embedded within it.
Visit our website to learn more and access all our resources for this campaign:
The evidence is overwhelming - A Graduated Driving Licensing system in the UK could save countless lives. In countries where GDL is already in place, injury collisions involving young drivers have decreased by 20-40%. Sign here:
@owe65332
On Day 3 of the
#RoadPeaceChallenge
, we focus on the inspirational
@NaranMeera
MBE & her campaign for mandatory Autonomous Emergency Braking on new vehicles - following the death of her 8-year-old son, Dev, on a smart motorway. Read Meera's blog:
#DevsLaw
People who kill with guns, knives and other lethal weapons get long custodial sentences. But dangerous drivers who kill get far shorter sentences, and some avoid jail altogether. Our new campaign asks: "What exactly does a driver have to do to get life?"
#SafeStreetsNow
are calling for Peace, Space and Justice in our public spaces, with local protests happening across the country tomorrow.
Find out about the events near you here:
Our thoughts are with the families of these two much-loved grandmothers. This driver ignored the warnings that his eyesight was below the required standard and took two innocent lives. He has been jailed for 7 years and 4 months
#FixOurBrokenJusticeSystem
A group of 40 bereaved parents are demanding action to tackle the unacceptable and disproportionately high number of young driver and passenger deaths on UK roads. We're proudly working alongside
@Brakecharity
&
@roadvictimstrus
to support this campaign:
Precious and happy memories of our beautiful, thoughtful, kind and quiet Caitlin.
We all love and miss you so much Caitlin. Our family will never be the same.
Love You Always, Mam, Dad, Hannah, Aidan, Rohan, Louis and Molly your cat.Xxxxx.
#WDoR2020
#5aday
#rememberme
Sign up to our
#FixOurBrokenJusticeSystem
campaign here:
We're calling for:
- Longer sentences for dangerous drivers
- Greater use of lifetime driving bans
- Immediate suspension of driving licences after fatal crashes
- Victims’ rights to be put first
“How on earth does a person only get 15 years for a crime that is that devastating, when they were filming themselves speeding, weaving in and out of cars at 123mph? What more could they have been doing?"
We couldn't agree more,
@susannareid100
#FixOurBrokenJusticeSystem
'We felt like we had been let down by the justice system.'
The heartbroken family of a pregnant mother killed in a motorway accident are calling for life sentences for so-called 'boy-racers' like her killer.
Mansoor Chaudhry, killed when aged 26 by a red light violator, Nicholas Sansom, who was only charged with a minor traffic offence; the death he caused was not even mentioned.
We have had to miss our son and brother for 30 long and painful years.
#WDoR2020
#5aday
#RememberMe
I spoke in the Chamber about toughening up sentences for driving crime. I agree with
@RoadPeace
that driving crime isn’t treated as real crime. I’ve been inspired by
@1687lucy
and I’ve been assured by the ministers that this will be in the Sentencing Bill.
@RedditchTories
David Fudge
My husband was killed by a very elderly driver attempting a U-turn.
He was on his motorbike enjoying a Sunday ride with friends on 18 November 2018 and was killed instantly
The driver has never accepted responsibility
#rememberme
#5deathsaday
#WDoR2021
The UK Government must be satisfied that "only" 29,795 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes in the UK last year. Why else would they not attend this vital global event addressing one of the world's biggest killers?
#VisionZero2023
Disappointing UK is not attending Global Meeting of National Road Safety Agencies in Stockholm. With over 30,000 killed & seriously injured every year on our roads & progress stalled
@transportgovuk
strategy why hasn’t
@Mark_J_Harper
sent a UK delegate? Nothing to learn SOS?
Road deaths are no accident. The RoadPeace 'Crash not accident' campaign calls for an end to a language of neglect and denial - and for policy makers and the media to stop using the word ‘accident’ when referring to road crashes.
Well done
@AndyCoxDCS
for completing 5 days of running, covering 120kms, weathering numerous hailstorms, rain, mud, branches, navigational hiccups and a trip to the chiropodist. Incredible. If you’re impressed like us you can sponsor Andy here
Louis' killer had killed before & subsequently pled exceptional hardship for a mobile phone offence. Then drove through a red light & killed him, using his phone moments before.
We need a review of exceptional hardship & tougher penalties for phone use.