Families endure 'awful ripple effect of road deaths'

Family members of people who died in road-related incidents said the tragedy creates an "awful ripple effect through the community".

Gloucestershire's Parish Church of All Saints, in Pittville, Cheltenham, hosted a special service to mark an international day of remembrance for road traffic victims on Sunday.

Nigel Lloyd-Jones, whose mother died in a car incident in 2018, said despite feeling "very alone" the service brought people together and provided "hope for the future".

He added: "There's always more that can be done. It's about the community taking that responsibility and being aware that with every casualty on our roads, the ripple affect through families and communities is awful."

This year, 21 people have been killed so far in the county due to incidents on roads, according to the figures from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire.

Mr Lloyd-Jones, who is also the co-lead of the Older Driver's Forum for Gloucestershire, said for families who suffer from a road traffic bereavement, it is a "terrible shock".

"When you are a family who suffers a bereavement on the road, first there's this instant trauma.

"You are then beautifully held by the police family liaison officers who do the most fantastic job.

"Then you have the coroner's court, and when the support comes to an end, you are left with this lifetime scar," he said.

Nick Evans, deputy police and crime commissioner for Gloucestershire, said although road deaths are decreasing in the region, any fatality is "avoidable" and "one is too many".

"Talking to someone who has gone through a similar experience can often be a salvation.

"I hope this event will provide an opportunity for quiet contemplation, and perhaps offer some feeling of fellowship, for those who have suffered," he said.

The World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year.

It is a global event to remember the many millions who have been killed and seriously injured on the world's roads.

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