The event, hosted this year by Anna Sabine MP, brought together bereaved and injured road victims, Brake partners, charity fundraisers and representatives from roads policing to network and reflect on the successes and challenges facing road safety this year, against the stunning backdrop of the River Thames and Houses of Parliament.
At the same venue a year previously, as a new government was being formed, Brake launched a new three-year strategy, with a commitment to five core campaign priorities including a stronger licensing system to prevent crashes involving young drivers. At this year’s event, the charity reiterated its commitment to the campaign to protect young drivers and all road users.
Brake’s Chair of Trustees, Deborah Sleightholme, opened the reception, welcoming guests and setting the scene for the afternoon’s speeches with a reminder that far too many young lives are lost or changed forever on our roads. She highlighted the urgent need for prevention, education, and life-saving, trauma-informed support, which Brake currently delivers without central government funding.
She was followed by Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset, who reiterated her support and desire to make change in road safety.
Next came Brake caseworker Sarah Harrison, who provides specialist support to bereaved and injured road victim families across West Yorkshire. Sarah gave a moving account of her own experience following the death of her mum, Mary, in a road crash involving a young driver. Sarah talked about the impact on her family at the time of the crash, and in the months and years that followed. She also explained how this led her to a career at Brake, supporting other families to help them get through the hardest days of their lives.
Brake’s chief executive Ross Moorlock thanked Sarah for her courage and bravery, and called on everyone present to reframe the narrative when talking about road crashes involving young drivers. He explained that when we talk about young driver safety, it’s not about restriction, it’s about protecting young drivers and all road users with a robust and fit-for-purpose system. He gave a rousing call to the room to stand together to deliver clear evidence and a consistent message, and collaborate across sectors and political divides.
“Nowhere else in our transport system would this level of preventable harm be met with such indifference,” said Moorlock. “Nowhere else would we turn such a blind eye to something so clearly unacceptable. And yet, we still hear narratives that frame this as a restriction, as if protecting lives is somehow a burden. This is not about restricting drivers, it’s about protecting people. It’s about creating streets and systems where everyone, whoever they are, however they travel, can move safely and freely.”
Speakers at Brake's Annual Reception 2025. From left to right: Sarah Harrison, Brake caseworker; Ross Moorlock, chief executive, Brake; Shaun Helman, chief scientist, TRL; Anna Sabine MP; Deborah Sleightholme, Chair of Trustees, Brake.
“This is not about restricting drivers, it’s about protecting people. It’s about creating streets and systems where everyone, whoever they are, however they travel, can move safely and freely.”
Ross Moorlock, chief executive, Brake
Moorlock also talked about the ongoing challenges for charities in the current environment, and how Brake is supporting 950 bereaved and seriously injured road victim families at the moment, with no central government funding. He thanked the people in the room for their generous support and for continuing to walk alongside Brake, as Brake continues to support families in need.
Finally, Shaun Helman, chief scientist at TRL, spoke about the growing momentum for change to support young drivers and emphasised the importance of listening and reacting to research findings, and using methods that are proven to be effective in other countries. He revealed some initial findings from the latest Brake research, which suggest widespread public support for a stronger licensing system.
The Annual Reception followed a morning event, also hosted by Brake, at which MPs were invited to a drop-in session at Portcullis House to find out more about driver licensing. Brake staff, supporters and bereaved road safety campaigners talked to them about why we need a stronger licensing system and explained how initial findings from the charity’s research suggest strong public support for change. MPs were urged to support the campaign, and to make driver licensing part of their everyday conversations. Brake also shared information to help MPs understand how to respond if a crash happens in their constituency.
Annie Sabine MP (left) pictured with Luca Straker, campaigns manager at Brake, at the drop-in event for MPs at Portcullis House
Guests at the Annual Reception included Brake's corporate partners and supporters, as well as fundraisers, campaigners and representatives from road safety organisations and roads policing. The event was hosted at the House of Commons and supported by Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset.
Brake's Annual Reception was sponsored by Alderstone Solicitors, FM Conway and Geotab.
Click here to learn more about Brake’s campaign for change.
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