Every year, from 1 to 31 August, National Road Victim Month is observed to remember those who have lost their lives or been seriously injured in road traffic collisions. It is also a time to support bereaved families, friends and the wider community, to raise awareness about road safety and to promote preventative measures that could save lives in the future.

In this article, associate Imogen Lowden from our Personal Injury team explains the importance of the month.

Why August?

August is a poignant month in road safety history.

It marks the anniversary of Britain’s first road death on 17 August 1896, when Bridget Driscoll was struck and killed by a car in London. At the inquest into her death, the coroner reportedly said that he hoped “such a thing would never happen again”.  The charity RoadPeace established National Road Victim Month in 1998. This followed the death of Princess Diana in a car crash on 31 August 1997, an event that deeply moved the nation and drew international attention to road safety.

Over the years, August has become a key time for remembrance, raising awareness and education about the impact of road traffic collisions and the importance of prevention.

Raising awareness

On average, it is estimated that someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads every 17 minutes.

The Department for Transport reports that in 2024, there were 1,633 fatalities and 29,537 people were killed or seriously injured due to road traffic collisions in Great Britain. Under-25 drivers remain at high risk, with the fatality rate being 71% higher compared to older drivers. Motorcyclists and pedestrians continue to be particularly vulnerable road users.

These statistics are shocking, especially because most road traffic collisions can be prevented. Raising awareness is important to ensure that every victim injured on the roads gets the support they need. Drivers and pedestrians also need to be aware of the risks so they can be empowered to adopt safer behaviours on the road.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and raising awareness is the first step towards creating safer roads for all. Awareness not only impacts individuals, but it can also drive policy changes. Governments and local authorities are more likely to act on road safety issues if there is widespread public demand.

Organisations such as RoadPeace and Brake aim to change legislation and government policy so that we can all use roads safely, whoever we are and however we travel. Some of Brake’s campaign priorities include zero-tolerance to drink driving, default 20mph speed limits on all roads in built-up areas across the UK and progressive licensing to safeguard young and newly qualified drivers.

Bethany’s story

Our client, Bethany, sustained a traumatic, life-changing brain injury following a road traffic collision in 2019.

Bethany was returning home from a night out in Southampton when she was struck by a speeding vehicle while attempting to cross the road. Bethany was knocked unconscious from the impact and was taken to University Hospital, Southampton. She had sustained numerous injuries, including a severe traumatic brain injury and fractures to her cheek, left shoulder, elbow and wrist, a ruptured bladder and damage to her spleen.

Read more about Bethany’s story in our full Life Beyond Injury article.

How can you get involved?

There are numerous ways to engage with and support National Road Victim Month. This can be as simple as taking time to conduct your own research, sharing articles and starting conversations with those around you. As highlighted, many organisations such as RoadPeace and Brake regularly run petitions demanding legislative change.

There will also be events taking place to mark National Road Victim Month in August.

For example, on Saturday, 9 August 2025, from 2pm to 5pm, a ceremony of remembrance for all road crash victims is being held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. There will be the opportunity to attend the RoadPeace Wood before or after the service, which is a memorial of trees planted to remember those who have lost their lives or been injured in a road traffic collision.

Don’t forget to follow RoadPeace on social media or follow hashtags like #NationalRoadVictimMonth and #RoadSafety to stay up-to-date on upcoming events.

Whether you attend local memorial services, participate in campaigns, educate others, fundraise or donate to charities or practice safe driving, every effort contributes to building a culture of road safety. By raising awareness, advocating for change and supporting victims, you can play a vital role in reducing road traffic collisions and making our roads safer for everyone.