6 July 2011

Brake, the road safety charity, PO Box 548, Huddersfield, HD1 2XZ
Tel: 01484 559909 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Victims Commissioner Louise Casey has today published recommendations for the needs of victims of homicide and culpable road death to be recognised by law and put at the heart of the criminal justice system, and for the Government to fill the gap in support provided to bereaved road crash victims.

The report follows a review of the needs of homicide and culpable road death victims, their experiences of the criminal justice system, and support available to these families in dealing with profound shock and trauma, and the complex procedures, that follow such bereavements.

The report notes that approximately 500 families are bereaved each year through crimes on the road such as causing death by dangerous or causing death by careless driving, and that "for those bereaved as a result of such deaths, the impact and effects are similar [to those bereaved by homicide], with specific issues related to the criminal justice system and the paucity of services available to families."

The report calls for a law a recognising the needs of families bereaved through these crimes, and setting out what the criminal justice system and others will provide for them. It also calls for integrated support for bereaved victims, stating "the Government should make it a high priority for those bereaved by culpable road death to receive a service similar to the new offer outlined above [Victim Support's Government-funded Homicide Service] for those bereaved through homicide."

Read the Victim Commissioner's media statement and report here.

Julie Townsend, campaigns director at Brake, says: "We welcome these vital recommendations by the Victims Commissioner and urge the Government to act upon them. For too long bereaved road crash victims have been the forgotten victims, suffering horrendous pain and trauma following the violent and unexpected death of a loved one. Brake provides much-needed emotional support and practical information to victims, part-funded by Government, but we need greater commitment from Government to easing the terrible suffering of these families who have to face up to their worst nightmares come true.

"We fully support the call for a law recognising the needs of victims, and to ensure they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve in their contact with the criminal justice system. We also welcome the recognition that victims of culpable road death suffer similarly to homicide victims, and are as deserving of Government-funded support. We want to see greater long-term investment in support for all families bereaved by road death, not just culpable road death, ensuring that anyone who receives the heartbreaking news of a loved one being suddenly killed on roads can access appropriate, immediate and comprehensive support and information."

About Brake's support services

Brake is a charity working to prevent road deaths and injuries and caring for victims of road crashes, including families who are bereaved through culpable and non-culpable road deaths, and those affected by serious injuries. Brake's services, which are accessed by thousands of road crash victims each year, include support packs handed to families by police following all road deaths (funded by the Ministry of Justice in England and Wales), and a national helpline offering emotional support and information and advocacy in relation to practical procedures (part-funded by the Ministry of Justice, and part-funded by commercial sponsors). Brake also works with bereaved and injured victims to campaign for safer roads and improved support for victims.

For more on Brake's support services go to www.brake.org.uk and click on victim help.

About Brake

Brake is an independent road safety charity. Brake exists to stop the six deaths and 70 serious injuries that happen on UK roads every day and to care for families bereaved and seriously injured in road crashes. Brake runs awareness-raising campaigns, community education programmes, events such as Road Safety Week (21-27 November 2011), and a Fleet Safety Forum scheme, providing advice to companies. Brake's support division cares for road crash victims through a helpline and other services.