Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen, has provided £2,500 to the national road safety charity Brake to support victims of serious road collisions and their families.
Brake works with Cumbria Constabulary to provide support for families bereaved or those seriously injured in road crashes across the county.
It includes support books that are distributed to victim families by the police’s family liaison officers, helping them understand the complex procedures that often follow a crash, as well as how to get emotional and practical support from the charity’s National Road Victim Service.
In 2023/24, 21 support packs were distributed to the families of road collision victims and Brake caseworkers supported seven families.
Brake’s National Road Victim Service provides tailored support to people who have been seriously injured and to the families of those who have lost their lives in a collision. The charity also links in with other agencies to help people access community care ranging from mental health support to financial support.
Mr Allen said: “Brake is a fantastic charity that provides much needed support to individuals and families linked to a serious or fatal road collision.
“Road deaths are incredibly traumatic and affect whole families so it’s vital that there is support there for those most affected.
“Brake works in a victim-centred way, delivering trauma-informed interventions. The tailored support is all about working towards a goal to cope and recover from the aftermath of the collision and support only ends once the families’ and individuals’ needs are met.
“I am also pleased to support Brake’s campaign for changes to the licensing system to reduce the risk of death and serious injury from crashes involving young, newly qualified drivers.
“Road safety is an absolute priority for me, the police and members of the public. As we work towards zero road deaths in the county, it’s vital that support is provided to those who are affected by road collisions, which is why I am so pleased to help fund Brake in Cumbria.”
Brake’s CEO Ross Moorlock added: “At Brake, we know that the right support at the right time can change the course of someone’s life.
“Being able to access specialist, trauma-informed support delivered by Brake’s National Road Victim Service makes such a difference.
“We look forward to working with Cumbria Constabulary to continue to support local families in need. We thank the commissioner for enabling this support.”
Inspector Jack Stabler, of Cumbria police, heads the force’s Roads Policing Unit and chairs Cumbria Road Safety Partnership.
He said: “Brake is a charity whose goals match my own – to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads to zero.
“Like my officers, Brake sees the tragic results of serious and fatal road traffic collisions in their work supporting victims whilst promoting road safety.
“As we approach busy bank holiday periods and the summer, remember that everyone’s life matters on the roads.”
