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The next time you get into a car, whether as a driver or passenger, pause for a moment and consider the truly sobering fact that more people are killed on the country’s roads than in any other environment. At the time of writing, 19 people have lost their lives in road crashes this year in Gloucestershire alone.
The emergency services talk about the ‘ripple effect’ of losing a loved one in such circumstances. The devastating pain and distress caused to families, friends and also those professionals who have the job of dealing with the immediate aftermath, which inevitably includes informing the next of kin.
Don’t take my word for it. Alexandra Lloyd-Jones, who lost her mother in a crash 8 years ago said, “The shock and trauma of losing our mother in such tragic circumstances continues to this day.
“We are so grateful to the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership in creating an opportunity to come together with other families to honour and remember the loved ones we have lost.”
Alexandra is referring to a special service of remembrance for all those who have been killed or seriously injured on Gloucestershire’s roads. It is taking place at Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton near Stroud, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, which also happens to be the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The World Day of Remembrance is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year and is a global event to remember the many millions who have been killed and seriously injured on the world’s roads. Similar services are taking place in cities up and down the UK.
Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership, which is made up of our Constabulary, County Council, South Western Ambulance Trust, my office and other community organisations, is organising the event in partnership with the charity RoadPeace. We are hoping that families and friends of victims, as well as emergency services personnel – especially those involved in dealing with incidents resulting in loss of life – will attend and that it will provide an opportunity for quiet contemplation and perhaps offer some feeling of fellowship, for those who have suffered.
The sudden, unexpected and traumatic experience of losing a loved one in an incident on the road, can be overwhelming. Talking to someone who has gone through a similar experience can often be a salvation.
Tickets are still available for the service and can be reserved here.