At WDR Samantha Edwards delivered a profoundly moving speech in memory of her little brother, Wallace. In her words, she shared the pain of loss, the enduring love for her brother, and the importance of remembering those taken too soon on our roads. With Samantha’s permission, we are honoured to share her heartfelt speech with the RoadPeace community.

My little brother Wallace was my favourite person.  He was amazing, he lived life to the full and was a free spirit.  He believed that we are here to live a life full of experiences and adventures. He had an infectious sense of humour and a smile that made people instantly at ease which naturally drew people to him.  In November 2020, Wallace had just recovered from Covid.  Having spent two weeks in bed, we had all been really concerned for him and relieved that he had made a full recovery.  He had only just returned to work.  In fact, it was only his second day driving to work when the crash happened.  He was literally five minutes away from his work premises…he never made it. 

On the A46 Evesham bypass a man in his 80s with multiple health conditions, including cognitive decline, was driving erratically, at speed, and drove straight into the back of my brother who was stationary, behind an articulated lorry, at the round-a-bout.  

There are no words that truly express the impact of receiving the news that your loved one has been killed in a car crash, and then on top of that, that there’s going to be a prosecution because the other driver wasn’t paying attention whilst driving.  To add to this, the grieving process is hugely impacted by a long legal process that precedes this.  It is like a barrage of constant challenges, one after another – whilst still trying to comprehend the initial news of the crash and that your loved one has gone, so suddenly and traumatically. 

Wallace’s sudden traumatic death on the road wasn’t a normal death; it was completely preventable.  If only someone had challenged the other driver on his health issues, if a health professional had intervened, if a trusted friend had quietly mentioned it may be time to stop driving.  Addressing these issues could save lives, including my brother’s. 

I was utterly bereft, and no-one could reach me from my horror story.  That was until I read about RoadPeace.  I realised there was a whole community out there that understood my new reality.  I was greeted with comfort, empathy, and information on the whole new process of legalities that I was about to encounter.  I joined one of the support groups.  I must be honest, at first, I found it hard to see other members faces etched in pain, mirroring the pain of my own.  However, very slowly I began to find comfort and recovery through the support I received.  I truly do not know where I would be now if I hadn’t found the courage to make the first contact with such an amazing organisation. 

 I don’t want Wallace to be viewed as just another crash victim statistic; I want people to sit up and take notice.  I want to see positive change.  I believe a culture shift is needed in this country.  It’s not an accident it’s preventable, and it’s not down to human error, it’s down to carelessness and ignorance…We should adopt new legislation such as in countries like Sweden, where the policy and belief is based upon the premises that all road deaths and serious injuries can be completely prevented.  We can adopt this belief and, alongside working with RoadPeace, achieve that positive change.  

I remember national television campaigns when I was younger, “clunk click every trip” and similar slogans that enforced road safety were seen as the norm.  Where are these televised campaigns now?  Or have we become a society that accepts completely preventable deaths on the roads as inevitable?  How many more media reports do we have to see on the news of such premature lives lost?  Heartbreaking stories, every single one of them.  The worst thing for me is to know that my brother, alongside other casualties on the road, could still be here now, if only the people on the roads could understand the unbearable pain caused by careless and dangerous driving.  If the perpetrators could stand in our shoes for just one day, they would understand.  Change comes from knowledge, education and understanding.  Change comes by introducing both national and local preventative policy.  Road deaths must be taken seriously, and work needs to be done to change this culture shift towards prevention not just acceptance and these deaths seen as unavoidable.  We need a new culture where people’s awareness is heightened, and people think and remember road safety principles as habit.  

Remembrance services such as today’s, help us honour our loved ones.  It gives us a collective opportunity to not just comfort one another but also discuss change.  This gives me HOPE, hope that the tireless work of organisations such as RoadPeace, and all their members can collaborate with local communities and partner organisations across the country, to introduce positive change.  Change that makes our roads safe so that future generations can be protected and feel safe on the roads.  

Thank you for today.  Thank you for giving us all an opportunity to express and remember our loss, whilst highlighting the loss of our loved ones and the work that needs to be done to protect future generations on the road. 

Updated on: 11 December 2025