National Road Victim Month
3rd August 2020
This week marks the start of National Road Victim Month and the Police and Crime Commissioner and his office (OPCC) is raising awareness about the support available.
The theme has long been a priority within the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan having been raised consistently by communities and highlighted as being of particular importance to them.
Throughout the month, information will be shared across the OPCC social media platforms, directing people to the latest guidance and advice.
West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Mark Burns-Williamson said:
“Over the years, I have heard first hand from communities, partners, local campaign groups and through our surveys about the devastating impact that road collisions can have on people’s lives and how important safety initiatives are to local people.
“It is from these valuable conversations and feedback that Road Safety has always been fully recognised in my Police and Crime Plan.
“In the latest HMICFRS national report on Roads Policing this same approach was recommended to others, which really validates its presence among the many crime priorities that are high on the national agenda.
“As well as its campaigning work to raise awareness of such issues, the West Yorkshire based road safety charity ‘Brake’ also provides the National Road Victims Service.
“It is a crucial service which works alongside Police Family Liaison Officers to support victims including those tragically bereaved by serious road traffic collisions and incidents.
“We routinely work in conjunction with BRAKE, as well as the local authorities to highlight the various issues and proactive strategies, such as our ‘Vision Zero’ aspiration.
“This approach really underpins the seriousness in which we view the associated issues of road safety awareness and not simply accepting that there will inevitably be victims of road collisions which can be avoided.
“Throughout National Road Victim Month, we will sharing details about the avenues of support available to people using our social media platforms.
“Likewise, we will be making communities aware of the latest projects underway to help prevent victims of road collisions in the first instance.
“West Yorkshire Police’s Operation Safeway, which launched last month is a great example of the emphasis we have placed on preventing deaths and serious injury on our roads, through educational awareness initiatives.
“Similarly, we have just introduced a significant new digital media tool that allows West Yorkshire Police to receive and capture dash-cam footage via a portal on their website https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/SaferRoadsSubmissions. It will help to ensure victims and witnesses have important additional support when reporting an incident of this nature.
“Finally, I will be sharing the lessons being learned at a national level, having recently attended a road safety round table discussion involving other PCCs, politicians and key figures within the road safety arena.”
Chief Inspector Lisa Kirkland Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Road Policing Unit said:
“Our officers unfortunately have to deal with the aftermath of road traffic collisions on a daily basis and see the real-life impact on offenders, victims and families when road users are seriously injured as a result of people driving dangerously on our roads.
“We are committed through education and enforcement to make the roads of West Yorkshire safer.
“The forces #WYPTheCost campaign targets the ‘fatal four’, speeding, drink/drug driving, using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt. The campaign highlights the potential cost of what can happen to you if you are caught committing these offences. It could be a fine or driving ban to prison time, in addition to the devastating emotional impact on those involved and their families and loved ones if someone is injured as a result of a collision.
“Last month we launched Operation Safeway a new initiative to educate people on all aspects of road safety all year round. The first deployment in Leeds saw two people arrested, seven traffic offences reported and three vehicles seized, but more importantly educating drivers around the very real risks on the roads.
“Our Safer Roads Media Submissions portal opened recently, where we are working with the public to improve driver behaviour and address offending in relation to road safety.
“This year, we have more dedicated roads policing officers working on the roads of West Yorkshire to prevent the devastation that the ‘fatal four’ can cause. We will not tolerate people risking their own and others road users’ lives, we all have a responsibility to play in keeping our roads safe and ensuring that all the Fatal Four offences are socially unacceptable.’