A Bedfordshire based charity which provides free emotional and practical support to people affected by road death in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, has commented on the release of two reports on road fatalities.
The recommendations of a joint report between HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary specifically looked at the role of Crown Prosecutors and police investigators in road death and serious injury cases.
Mark Turner, Chief Executive of the Road Victims Trust said: “We welcome any report that places scrutiny and challenge into the investigation of road death.
“For over 20 years our charity has supported many hundreds of people who have been devastated by a road death, but many of these are simply not recognised as victims.”
The report also praised the role of police investigators who were found to be professional and thorough.
Mr Turner said: “The Road Victims Trust works in partnership with the three police forces across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire .
“We enjoy a tremendous working relationship with the officers and we acknowledge the fantastic dedication and professionalism they bring to their jobs.
“Our Service Level Agreements mean that all fatalities are referred to the Trust and this working relationship allows us to deliver the best possible level of care for victims”
A report by the Department of Transport showed that deaths and serious injuries on the roads of the UK raised by 4% in the year ending September 2014, with deaths up 1%.
Mr Turner said: “It is important to note that the figures released are provisional estimates and this makes it extremely difficult to identify an overall trend.
“The truly shocking statistic is that five people a day are killed on the roads of the UK with many, many more lives of families and friends changed forever.
“This report highlights the sad fact that road death will affect many thousands of people each year and people’s lives will be devastated”.
>To find out more about the charity go to http://www.rvtrust.org.uk/
>Or you can call 01234 843345 during office hours.