Grieving families share heart-breaking stories to highlight the impact of reckless driving

Bereaved families from across the West Midlands are courageously sharing their personal stories in a series of powerful short films, revealing the devastating impact of reckless driving.

The campaign, a collaboration between Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, aims to bring attention to the tragic consequences of dangerous driving while urging drivers to take responsibility on the roads.

Featuring parents, siblings, partners, and extended family members, the films showcase heartfelt accounts of the pain and trauma of losing a loved one. Relatives hold cherished photographs of their loved ones as they recount the moments their lives were changed forever, appealing to drivers to think about the potential consequences of their actions behind the wheel.

Courageous voices from the campaign

In total, 12 RoadPeace members were interviewed as part of the campaign, including Diane Gall, Abbie Brooks, Lesley Bates and Sonia Gandham.

Sonia Gandham, whose 19-year-old brother Arjun’s life was taken in a road crash in 2021, said: “Every day the door opens, you expect it to be the person that it’s never going to be. It feels like I’m living a life that I shouldn’t be living without my brother, and it feels almost unfair that everybody else is having a normal life and their day never changed, but my life did.

“The first thing that needs to be changed is the mindset of young drivers. There’s a lack of fear and an attitude of invincibility on the roads that has devastating consequences.”

Lesley Bates, whose husband Tony was killed in 2017, described the lasting trauma of her loss: “The suddenness and tragedy of losing someone you love in a road crash is indescribable. I had spoken to Tony just a couple of hours before, and then suddenly, he was gone forever.

“The support from RoadPeace has been a lifeline, helping me to find a new path in life, one I hadn’t planned but have learned to walk.”

A commitment to safer roads

The films are part of a larger Road Safety Action Plan launched last month by TfWM, West Midlands Police, local councils and RoadPeace. The plan outlines measures to increase enforcement of speed limits, crack down on uninsured and dangerous vehicles and promote safer driving behaviours.

The Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said: “Too many families have had their lives torn apart by dangerous driving. The bravery shown by these families in sharing their stories is remarkable, and their voices serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of road safety.

“No loss of life on our roads is acceptable, which is why I am committed to Vision Zero – a future without road deaths or serious injuries. Together, we must work to prevent these avoidable tragedies and the pain they leave behind.”

Delivering change through shared stories

Lucy Harrison, West Midlands Coordinator for RoadPeace, expressed her gratitude for the families involved. She said: “By sharing their stories, these families are shining a light on the need for safer roads.

“We are immensely grateful to the Mayor and TfWM for supporting this campaign and helping us deliver the message that road safety must remain a priority. I am so proud of the RoadPeace West Midlands Group for their courage in trying to prevent other families from suffering as they have.”

Join the call for safer Roads

RoadPeace is dedicated to supporting those affected by road crashes and campaigning for safer roads to prevent future tragedies.

Updated on: 5 December 2024