August - National Road Victim Month

August - National Road Victim Month

This month is National Road Victim month and we are urged to make a difference and raise awareness.

A road accident can happen to anyone, and it can be devastating, we have all seen the bunches of flowers placed at the side of the road to mark the spot where a loved one died, and paused maybe to think – there but for the grace of God…..

Have you lost a friend or relative in a traffic accident?  While we remember lost loved ones every day, Road Victim Month each August aims to remember those who have died in road traffic accidents and promote what they call ‘road peace.’

This special month was first established and celebrated in 1998 by the RoadPeace organisation.   It aims to remind the public of how devastating road accidents are and how they can impact on people's lives.

The month of August was chosen specifically as a number of poignant road accidents have happened in this month throughout history.  Bridget Driscoll, the first person in the UK to die in a road traffic accident died in August 1896.   Diana, Princess of Wales also died in August 1997.

A number of events will be held throughout the month, including service of remembrance on 10 August 2013 at the RoadPeace Wood at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and an annual ceremony will be held on the steps of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 31 August 2013 remembering everyone who has been killed on the roads.   Those roadside memorials of flowers and wreaths at the sites of accidents are also encouraged throughout this month.

For more details visit the National Road Victim Month website, where you can find out more about this important celebration of lost lives.

RoadPeace, the organisers of the event are an independently funded national charity for road crash victims.   RoadPeace is also a member of the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims.

If you would like to get involved either by joining the group to become a member, showing your support by giving a donation or holding a fundraising event just visit the official website for more information.

This is the link for the  National Road Victim Month website.

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Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio