World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

Sunday 18 November 2007 marks the fourteenth World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which recognises the suffering endured by families and survivors of road crashes globally. Thirty church remembrance services will be held across the UK.

The day also aims to highlight the scale of the tragedy worldwide. Globally, 3,000 people are killed every day and 100,000 more are injured. In the UK, someone is killed or hurt on roads every two minutes.

BrakeCare provides Government-funded literature for people bereaved in road crashes, but other support services for people bereaved by a sudden and violent death on the roads, or suffering a life-changing injury in a crash, struggle for funds.

People bereaved and seriously injured by road crashes remain the ‘forgotten victims’ receiving little Government-funded support. As a first step, Brake is calling on Government to prioritise funding for an essential national face-to-face support service for people bereaved following a sudden and violent death on the roads. Face-to-face support services from Brake and other charities are much-valued, but extremely limited, due to lack of funding.

Sarah Fatica, Head of BrakeCare, says: “The World Day of Remembrance provides an important opportunity to stop and think about the vast numbers of people killed on roads in our country and across the world. Although bereaved families and injured survivors of road crashes are a group largely ignored by Government, these people live with devastating loss each day. Brake urges our Government to prioritise funding for the essential support services that people whose lives are torn apart by road crashes desperately need and deserve.”

If you have been affected by a road crash and need support call the BrakeCare helpline on 0845 603 8570 or email helpline@brake.org.uk.

If you are interested in volunteering for Brake to support people bereaved following a fatal road crash call Diane Beaven on 01484 559909 or email brakecare@brake.org.uk for further details. Experience of supporting people is desirable, but full training and support is given.