West Yorkshire welcomes road victims report

West Yorkshire Vision Zero, the region’s road safety partnership, has welcomed the publication of the Forgotten victims: Barriers to justice following a road traffic collision report.

Commissioned by the late Baroness Helen Newlove, the report explores the experiences of injured victims’ and bereaved victims’ of road traffic 
collisions in England and Wales.

The report concludes with six formal recommendations to criminal justice agencies:

1. National Investigation Standards: Strengthen oversight and accountability.
2. Trauma Training: Mandatory, trauma-informed training for all police handling road crime.
3. Sustainable Funding: National funding streams for dedicated road victim support.
4. Direct Police Referrals: Automatic support access for affected families.
5. Civil Claims Guidance: Clear legal and compensation advice for victims.
6. Specialist Roads Policing: Formal status under the Police Reform Bill.

Alison Lowe OBE, Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said:

“We’re clear that more can and should be done for victims of road traffic collisions and their families.

“Locally we have provided additional funding for enhanced support through our Independent Road Victim Advocate. We’ve also written to the Victims’ Minister to request a meeting.”

“We welcome the renewed focus on this area through the new report and support the recommendations. The need for sustained national funding in particular is crucial and something which we hope to discuss with the Minister.”