At RoadPeace, we believe that the voices of crash victims are powerful drivers of change. By sharing lived experiences, we aim to raise awareness of the realities victims face not just at the scene of a collision, but throughout their long journeys to recovery and justice. In this blog, Ash shares their deeply personal account of the aftermath of a road traffic collision, the challenges of engaging with the criminal justice system, and a call for meaningful improvements in road safety and victim support.
“I Wasn’t Heard – But I Hope My Story Helps Bring Change”
By Ash
My name is Ash, and I was involved in a road traffic collision through no fault of my own. I was reassured that I was in the right place and doing the right thing — but navigating the justice system that followed has been an incredibly challenging journey.
On 12 October 2022, I left work thinking about my son’s upcoming 14th birthday. I was positioned in the middle of the road, signalling to turn, when a car struck my bicycle and the driver fled the scene.
I sustained life-threatening injuries and, as a result, missed my son’s birthday — a day I had been looking forward to celebrating with him. The road to recovery has been long and incredibly demanding, both physically and emotionally.
The driver involved was elderly and later found to have poor eyesight. My case file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) nearly two years after the collision. While the investigation process was lengthy, I appreciated that the police always asked about my recovery when they got in touch, even though updates were infrequent.
According to CPS guidance, victims should be informed of charging decisions within 30 working days. In my case, I waited over 60 days without any communication. Eventually, the CPS decided to charge the driver with “causing serious injury by dangerous driving.” I was informed by the officer in charge that I would be contacted by a Victim Care Officer (VCO), but I didn’t hear anything and had to reach out myself to find out who my VCO was and get any information about court proceedings.
The plea hearing was postponed three times. The first time, I wasn’t informed; the second time, no reason was given. During the third hearing, the judge requested a review of the charge. A week later, the charge was amended to “causing serious injury by careless driving.” This change was not explained to me at the time, and it took significant personal effort to get clarity.
Eventually, I was told the change was based on the CPS’s legal test: one part being the public interest (influenced by the driver’s age), and the second part based on the available evidence. While I appreciated the CPS’s eventual explanation, there was no inquiry about how I was coping or acknowledgement of my perspective. Sympathy was expressed for the defendant, but not for the impact the collision had on my life.
The new plea hearing proceeded at the Magistrates’ Court. The defendant appeared via video link, and though his microphone was not functioning, the court continued. The judge accepted a guilty plea through a nod. Throughout the hearing, my Victim Impact Statement was not read or acknowledged. The court accepted that my clothing contributed to the incident, yet didn’t mention the large pink/purple rucksack I wore, which covered most of my back.
My injuries — including a traumatic brain injury, persistent pain, and ongoing breathing difficulties — were described simply as a “miraculous recovery,” a term that didn’t reflect the reality of my daily challenges. No aggravating factors were explored. The defendant showed no visible remorse and was ultimately sentenced to a 12-month driving disqualification, with a requirement to retake the driving test if he wishes to drive again, along with a small financial penalty.
I strongly believe that road safety can be improved by making sure all drivers are medically fit to drive. There is currently no mandatory vision testing for licence holders, and self-reporting systems don’t always work. Health professionals are not required to notify authorities about unfit drivers, which leaves gaps in the system.
I share my story not to assign blame, but in the hope that it can inform better systems and support for victims. It’s vital that agencies like the CPS keep victims informed and heard throughout the process. Stories like mine should not be seen as isolated experiences but as catalysts for improving road safety and justice.
If you have been affected by a road crash and need support, please contact RoadPeace.
Updated on: 20 June 2025