Road safety charity expands victim support service to North Yorkshire
Brake says there were nearly 2,300 casualties who were killed or seriously injured in 2020
A road safety charity has expanded its victim support service to North Yorkshire.
It means victims of bereavement and catastrophic injury following collisions can now get emotional and practical help through a caseworker.
The National Road Victim Service is delivered by road safety charity Brake, which also campaigns to end incidents on roads and co-ordinates National Road Safety Week in November each year.
Across Yorkshire and the Humber, Government figures analysed by Brake show that:
• 2,277 casualties were killed or seriously injured in 2020 (the last full year of data available), down from 2,907 people in 2019. However, this reduction is mainly as a result of less traffic on the roads due to lockdown measures.
• There were 88 casualties killed or seriously injured per billion vehicle miles travelled in 2020 – the fourth highest in the ten regions across England Wales – but down from 91 in 2019.
These professional caseworkers have expertise in helping victims suffering shock, turmoil, devastation, and many life challenges as a result of crashes.
They will provide expert care to road crash victims, including help through the psychological shock and trauma, help with practical matters including legal support, injury rehabilitation and mental health, and help accessing care for children and families.
The National Road Victim Service works in close partnership with police, health services, and many other community services to deliver its vital support.
Chief Constable Jo Shiner, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Roads Policing, said: “Focussing on victims is a key part of the NPCC Roads Policing Strategy 2022/25. It is important to remember that too many people live in the shadow of grief from road collisions every day.
“Of course I want to see far fewer families suffer the traumatic, unexpected and often preventable death of a loved one on our roads, but we know that there will be hundreds of families, this year alone, that will need compassionate and professional support when, sadly they do suffer such a loss. We must always remember, these are real people not just numbers.
“I am pleased to learn that the National Road Victim Service, provided by Brake, is now able to expand its service to victims and look forward to seeing how this progresses in the coming months.”
Mary Williams OBE, Brake’s Chief Executive, said: “Road crashes tear families apart and cause untold shock, turmoil and devastation across Yorkshire, the Humber and the UK.
“Victims of bereavement and catastrophic injuries due to road crashes deserve expert support, from day one, from a specialist caseworker who can deliver essential care and work alongside our partners in the police, health services, legal services and other essential services required by victims, particularly services for children and families, and victims with a range of vulnerabilities.
“Today’s expansion marks a big step towards our goal of more than 4,000 road crash victims getting the care they need each year, and this step is taken thanks to the vital donations received from expert law firms who assist road victims. All communities are affected by carnage on our roads. Please help us to support even more road victims and end the deaths and injuries by donating or raising funds for Brake.”
Find out more here and victims of bereavement or serious injury due to a road crash, can call the National Road Victim Service on 0808 8000 401, or email help@brake.org.uk or visit www.brake.org.uk/support.