Road deaths on Merseyside return to pre-pandemic levels
648 people were killed or seriously injured on Merseyside's roads last year
Last updated 16th Nov 2022
The number of deaths on Merseyside's roads have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Stats show 648 people were killed last year, a near 25% increase on the same figure for 2020.
Research carried out for Road Safety Week claims that four out of five drivers don’t think it’s their responsibility to report obstructions on local roads.
Mum of three Pauline Fielding, from Heswall, said she's "disappointed" the number is so high after her son Andrew, 18, was killed in a car crash in 1994.
Andrew swerved to avoid a car which cut across his path on the A540 Chester High Road in Neston at the junction with Raby Park Road.
Pauline told us: “I’m disappointed that four in five wouldn't report an obstacle.
“An obstruction could cause a crash, it could cause death or serious injury.
“I cannot believe only 20% would report something like that.”
Since Andrew’s death, Pauline has become a trustee and North West group coordinator of RoadPeace.
One of their campaigns was for a speed reduction at the junction where Andrew was killed.
“Some people think they can just go over the speed limit. It’s there for a reason”, Pauline said.
Andrew died when he swerved to avoid a car that was travelling in the opposite direction and cut into his path.
The driver of the other car briefly stopped and then drove off.
The driver has never been caught.
Pauline is campaigning so other families in the region don’t have to experience what her family went through.
Speaking of her son's death she said: “I felt numb.
“I felt I was outside my body watching my body telling people they needed to sit down because I needed to tell them some news.
“I suppose I was in shock. It takes a long time for that shock to go. Gradually over the years reality sinks in and it gets harder as the days go on.”
Pauline added: “That day changed my life, the lives of all my family, of Andrew's friends and colleagues, and it never goes away.
“We cannot change the past, but we can change the future and that is why I campaign”
Pauline received an MBE earlier this year for her campaigner from Merseyside tireless efforts to reduce danger on the roads and help others.
She was presented with the honour by Prince William who Pauline described as "very friendly".
Pauline and Margaret Highton, whose granddaughter was also killed on the roads, set up RoadPeace North West together and have helped numerous bereaved families across Merseyside.
The group works alongside the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership, bringing together emergency services, local councils and the police to reduce death and injury on the region's roads.
This Sunday (20th November) a special remembrance service will take place in Liverpool at St George's Hall, to remember those lost to road incidents.
Anyone is welcome to join the ceremony which will include photographs of loved ones who have died in a road crash.
The service will be followed by the release of five doves in memory of the five people who die daily on UK roads.
There will also be light refreshments and the opportunity to talk to others.
Pauline said talking is: “so important. We can all support each other.
“We hope this sends out a message to everyone who uses our roads to use them sensibly.
“Don’t take chances it only takes a seconds distraction to cause a crash and you may kill yourself or someone else.”
To get support from RoadPeace call the free helpline 0800 160 1069 or email to find out about local meetings and support available.