Unveiling the Silent Echoes of Road Trauma: A Groundbreaking Study
Unveiling the Silent Echoes of Road Trauma: A Groundbreaking Study
In the silence of road trauma, the pain echoes loudly. Victims’ stories, unheard and unseen, carry the weight of untold grief.
In a sobering exposé, the Research Effectiveness Award winning paper “The Unheard of Trauma of fatal Road Crime” unveils the deep scars of road trauma.
It's a poignant start to a conversation that's long overdue.
The Road Trauma Support Group NSW (RTSG NSW), in a landmark partnership with the research agency FiftyFive5, embarked on the extensive study to cast light on the experiences shrouding victims of criminal road trauma.
Their goal? To pinpoint intervention avenues that catalyse change and incite action.
This exhaustive research, the largest of its kind in NSW, integrates data from over two thousand surveys, in-depth interviews with victims' families, and consultations with experts across various fields. It paints a detailed picture of the far-reaching consequences of road trauma, which costs the community over $9 billion annually and has touched one in five adults in NSW through the loss of someone on the roads.
“No person should be woken Christmas morning by a sobbing sibling, sharing the news that his brother had been killed the night before.” RTSG member.
Peering into the lives touched by road-induced fatalities, the report finds that 4% of the NSW community has been directly affected by deaths due to criminal driving behaviours. But the repercussions extend beyond the initial tragedy. Survivors and their families navigate a labyrinth of financial and legal complexities, often accompanied by prolonged mental and emotional torment. The echoes of grief reverberate, leaving a legacy of enduring suffering.
“He father committed suicide a year later, having not recovered from losing his daughter in the crash.” – RTSG member.
The study reveals that the roots of these tragedies are frequently preventable, citing driver behaviour as a major culprit. Decisions made regarding speed, alcohol, and drug use contribute significantly to the more than 300 fatalities a year. In a grim revelation, the data suggests that younger victims' deaths are particularly preventable, linked heavily to reckless driving and substance abuse.
The current system, however, is fraught with inadequacies. Families flounder in the aftermath, with only 18% reporting support from peer services. The report advocates for a "connected system" of support, akin to solid links in a chain, guiding the bereaved seamlessly through their journey of grief.
Crucial to this support network are the professionals who intersect with the post-crash experience. Yet, the study indicates a harrowing inconsistency in the assistance provided, compounded by a shortage of specialised training. The result? A devastating cycle of re-traumatisation for families, often exacerbated by the probing glare of media coverage.
“The prolonged 18 months of court appearances, then no sentence at the end was unbearable cruelty in addition to the permanent loss of our beautiful boy.” RTSG member.
RTSG NSW is advocating for substantial reforms to mitigate these effects and better support the bereaved. The recommendations include tailored legislation, such as refining the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance scheme to recognise the long-term psychological trauma and refining protocols for media reporting to respect grieving families' privacy.
The study's findings are a call to action for both policymakers and the community. It emphasises the need for comprehensive driver education, and public dissemination of investigation results to prevent future tragedies.
The community is supportive of change. A majority back the introduction of 'vehicular manslaughter' charges and harsher penalties for negligent driving.
Reducing road trauma is a global priority, with governments aiming to cut road deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030, but the journey towards this goal is not just a matter of policy, it’s a collective responsibility that begins with every individual road user's choice.
The report doesn't just reflect statistics—it's a rallying cry for systemic reform, a plea for compassion, and a roadmap towards healing. The recommendations laid out are not just policy points; they're beacons of hope for those engulfed by the shadow of road trauma.
Kristy Coulcher
RTSG Communications Manager
18 January, 2024