Road crime victims say they are ignored by the justice system, review finds

A review by the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales says families and injured survivors of criminal driving feel neglected and that offences are not treated with sufficient seriousness.

An official review conducted by the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales reveals that families of road-traffic deaths and those seriously injured by criminal driving perceive a lack of priority in how their cases are handled. The study, based on interviews with victims and their relatives, found that many endured weeks-long waits for police to take witness statements, faced unclear communication, and were unhappy with court outcomes, particularly when perpetrators were not imprisoned.

Statistics show that in the year ending June 2025, nearly 30,000 individuals were killed or seriously injured on English and Welsh roads, and an estimated 25-30% of crashes involved illegal behavior such as drink-driving or speeding. Claire Waxman emphasized that victims often feel forgotten by the system designed to aid them, while those who received support from specialist charities reported markedly better experiences.

Brake’s chief executive Ross Moorlock and PACTS executive director Jamie Hassall urged the government to introduce national standards, better oversight, consistent police training on trauma, and reliable funding for victim services. The government was asked for comment but did not respond.