This Road safety weekwe join forces with Brake, the Road Safety Charity to raise awareness of the devastating cost of road traffic collisions.

The national campaign, led by road safety charity Brake, is themed ‘After the crash: every road victim counts’. The initiative highlights the huge toll road accidents take on families, friends and entire communities, while calling for the highest standards of care for every road victim.

To mark the week, we are sharing the story of Lorraine Barrow, whose life was tragically cut short in a collision just outside her home near Blackford, Somerset, on the evening of 17 September 2020, leaving behind a devastated family and community.

Lorraine, an experienced cyclist, was hit by a car traveling at least 44 mph on a road with a 30 mph speed limit. The driver said they were blinded by the low sunlight and did not see Lorraine or her bike in time to avoid the collision. As a result, Lorraine suffered serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lorraine’s husband Chris Barrow reflects on the loss of his partner of 38 years, speaking candidly about the pain that follows such a tragedy and urging drivers to take responsibility for road safety by obeying speed limits.

In Avon and Somerset alone, 46 people lost their lives on our roads in 2024. Most of these deaths, like Lorraine’s, were preventable and linked to the Fatal Five:

– Speeding
– Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
– Not wearing a seat belt,
– Distraction (such as using a mobile phone),
– Careless or dangerous driving.

Avon and Somerset Police are dedicated to reducing these numbers through education and enforcement.

Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman, Head of Road Policing and Road Safety, commented on the importance of this year’s campaign:

“The numbers are high – 46 people have lost their lives on the roads in Avon and Somerset alone this year, and nationally 1,700 people die every year and tens of thousands more suffer life-changing injuries .

“Behind each of these figures is a family devastated by loss. We are committed to addressing the root causes of these deaths, known as the Fatal Five, through both education and law enforcement to prevent these tragedies from occurring. Our officers work tirelessly, both to enforce traffic laws and to support families affected by collisions, and I am proud of their dedication to reducing road casualties.

“We recently added unmarked road safety vans to our fleet, capable of detecting speeding, mobile phone and seat belt offences. These efforts are part of our ongoing strategy to keep road users safe and hold accountable those who put lives at risk.

“During Road Safety Week, we hope to highlight the impact of lives lost and raise awareness of the Fatal Five so that together we can create safer roads for everyone.”