Road Crime Victims Feel Forgotten by System
· news
Betrayal on the Highways: Road Crime Victims Forgotten by a System in Shambles
The latest report from the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales paints a grim picture of road crime investigations, where bereaved families and seriously injured victims are left feeling abandoned. The numbers are staggering: almost 30,000 people were killed or seriously injured on roads in England and Wales between July 2024 and June 2025.
Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman has been scathing in her assessment of the current state of affairs. “Behind every road death or serious injury is a victim, a grieving family, and lives changed forever,” she writes. However, despite the gravity of these crimes, many victims feel that their suffering matters less than that from other serious offenses.
The report highlights a disturbing pattern of lengthy investigations, poor communication, and inconsistent support for victims. Some were left waiting months for witness statements to be taken, while others faced difficulty accessing basic information about their loved ones’ deaths. This trauma is compounded by the sense that they are being ignored by the very system that should be supporting them.
The issue here isn’t just a matter of road safety; it’s a failure of justice itself. As Ross Moorlock, chief executive of the road safety charity Brake, notes: “Road crime is not treated with the gravity it demands, and that road victims are swept aside by systemic failings of a process meant to support them.” This isn’t just about statistics or policy; it’s about human lives being reduced to mere abstractions in pursuit of justice.
Waxman’s report makes several recommendations for improvement. She advocates for stronger national standards, oversight, and accountability for road traffic collision investigations. Additionally, she urges greater training for police in dealing with trauma and increased funding for specialist support services. These steps are crucial, but they must be accompanied by a fundamental shift in how we approach road crime.
The current system is based on the flawed assumption that road crimes can be treated like any other offense – a simplistic view that ignores the unique challenges and traumas involved. It’s time to rethink this approach and prioritize the needs of victims above all else. As Jamie Hassall, executive director of PACTS, notes: “The testimony in the report shows the devastating impact of uncertainty, lengthy investigations, poor communication, and inconsistent access to support – often at a time of profound grief and trauma.”
Ultimately, the victims of road crime are not just statistics or abstractions; they are human beings who deserve dignity, respect, and justice. The current system is failing them, and it’s up to us to demand change.
Reader Views
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
The victims of road crime are right to feel forgotten - they're being treated like collateral damage in a system that's more interested in ticking boxes than providing genuine support. While Claire Waxman's report highlights the systemic failings, I'd argue that the root cause is a lack of accountability at the highest levels. Until there's meaningful reform and consequences for those who perpetuate these failings, nothing will change.
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
The victims of road crimes are often seen as mere statistics, but what about the human cost? The commissioner's report highlights the distressing reality that families and survivors are being left to pick up the pieces with inadequate support. A crucial aspect missing from this discussion is the long-term impact on those who have been traumatized by witnessing a crash or losing a loved one. Studies show that these indirect victims can suffer chronic stress, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms for years after the incident. Where's the support system for them?
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
The report highlights systemic failings in handling road crime investigations, but one crucial aspect often overlooked is the resource strain on smaller police forces. While larger metropolitan areas might have dedicated victim support teams, rural policing units are severely understaffed and under-resourced to provide adequate care for victims of road crime. This disparity only exacerbates the problem, making it even more challenging for vulnerable families to access justice and closure.