Helping hand for families of road victims
A new South West campaigning group has been launched to reduce road deaths and help bereaved families whose loved ones have been killed in traffic accidents.
RoadPeace is the city's first group to offer counselling to anyone whose life has been devastated by a road death.
The local group, which was set up this week, also wants to campaign for tighter speed restrictions and safer driving.
Spokesman Steve Duddell, a solicitor with Bristol firm Metcalfes, who helped launch the group says there is not enough support for bereaved people.
He said: "The idea is that we make contact with as many people who have been bereaved as a result of a death on the road because there are not any other local groups"
"The vast majority do not know who to turn to in terms of support and practical help".
RoadPeace Bristol/South West is a new local branch of national charity RoadPeace which petitions the government for safer roads and tougher sentences for speeders.
Until now it only had branches in London and the North West.
The UK official road death toll in 1999 was 3,564 and 330,159 people were reported injured, but the charity says that the real figure is much higher as many accidents are not reported.
RoadPeace claims that the annual number of injured is almost double and serious injuries are three times higher than the reported 40,000.
Avon and Somerset Police says last year there were 86 deaths which is 15 per cent down on 2001.
But RoadPeace Bristol/South West says the area desperately needs to offer more support to the victims' families and loved ones.
The new Bristol group's co-ordinator, John Calascione, lost his son many years ago in a road crash four days before Christmas.
He said: "RoadPeace is about campaigning for safety and counselling the family and friends because they are the victims. There is no support group like RoadPeace.
"I know from personal experience that people suffer desperately and need our help".
RoadPeace Bristol/South West will be holding its next meeting at 11am on Saturday September 6th 2003, at the offices of Metcalfes Solicitors at 46-48 Queen Square, Bristol.
It has invited people whose lives have been affected by a road death to attend, as well as anyone who is interested in finding out more about RoadPeace.
For more details call Steve Duddell on 0117 945 3034 or e-mail sduddell@metcalfes.co.uk
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