Victims of road crime feel ‘forgotten by system’, official review finds

Many of those affected by road crime in England and Wales feel their experiences are being overlooked by the system, according to an official review. Victims' commissioner Claire Waxman found that bereaved families and seriously injured individuals who have suffered from criminal driving feel "forgotten by the system," with their harm being considered less significant than other serious crimes.

In England and Wales, nearly 30,000 people were killed or seriously injured in road collisions in the year leading up to June 2025, with 1,579 fatalities, a number more than triple the number of homicide victims. An estimated 25-30% of these collisions involved criminal driving, such as drink or drug use or speeding.

The review found that many victims faced substantial challenges during police investigations, including lengthy waits for support, poor communication, court delays, and difficulties accessing aid. Some victims waited over two months for witness statements, and they were often dissatisfied with the eventual sentences, especially when offenders weren't jailed after causing a road death.

Waxman expressed that victims repeatedly mentioned feeling "forgotten by the system" and that their experiences often went unrecognized. She urged the government to introduce stronger national standards, oversight, and accountability for road traffic collision investigations, along with more consistent training for police in handling trauma.

She also called for a more victim-centered approach, including timely and thorough investigations, stronger national standards, trauma-informed practice, and sustainable funding for specialized support services.