National Road Victim Month: Road Harm and Restorative Justice
This is a blog by our CEO, Sara Dowling.
Every August, National Road Victim Month offers a moment to reflect on the devastating toll of road death and injury, honour those who have lost their lives, support those left behind and call for urgent action to prevent future suffering.
Road deaths are a global epidemic that is entirely preventable. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.2 million people die each year on the world’s roads, or 3,300 lives lost every single day – children walking to school, cyclists commuting to work, parents heading out to work. Millions more suffer life-changing injuries, with long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences. In the UK alone, five people a day are reported killed on our roads.
Road deaths are always sudden, premature and violent and the impact is deep and far-reaching. Families are thrown into grief, which is compounded by trauma, and for many, the suffering is exacerbated by the legal processes that follow. Victims and bereaved families find themselves navigating a criminal justice system that is confusing, doesn’t take their needs into account and often fails to deliver justice. Families are regularly let down by how the justice system responds to road harm, acknowledging that no prison sentence will bring back a loved one, but quite rightly expecting some kind of response from the state that acknowledges the immensity of their loss. In that context, any length of prison sentences can seem inadequate, and the process rarely offers the closure or understanding that victims seek.
What does justice therefore mean for road crash victims? After someone dies, can conviction and sentencing alone deliver justice, or is there a deeper, more compassionate response? At Why me?, we believe that Restorative Justice can offer a powerful addition to current processes. Rooted in dialogue, accountability, and empathy, Restorative Justice brings together victims, perpetrators, and their communities to explore the impact of a crime and seek meaningful resolution. It puts victims at the heart, exploring the harm that has been caused, and what they need to address those harms. It does not replace the legal process but complements it – putting victims at the centre and giving them the time and space to voice the harm caused, ask questions, and receive recognition.
For road victims, Restorative Justice can be transformative. It allows survivors and bereaved families to confront the emotional aftermath, understand the circumstances of the crash, and – if they choose – engage with the person responsible in a safe, structured and supportive setting. Victims like Andy, whose son Joe was killed by a driver on his phone, and who went through a Restorative Justice process to get the answers he needed.
Despite the potential of Restorative Justice to help victims of crime, however, it remains underutilised in cases of road death in the UK, with many victims unaware that this option exists. At Why me?, we believe this must change. We are committed to working with victims, support services, and agencies to make Restorative Justice more accessible and responsive to the needs of those affected by road collisions. By building partnerships and raising awareness, we want to ensure that every victim has the opportunity to explore Restorative Justice to find out if is right for them.
As we mark National Road Victim Month, at Why me? we remember the countless lives lost and the families forever changed because of road harm. We acknowledge the limitations of our current Criminal Justice System and call for new approaches that centre victims’ experiences, compassion and healing.
If you would like to support our Road Harm Project, we’d love to hear from you.
