Key facts
- Victims of road crime feel "forgotten by the system" and that their suffering is not treated with the seriousness it deserves, according to an official review.
- The review found that thousands of victims each year feel the harm they suffered matters less than that from other serious crimes.
- Nearly 30,000 people were killed or seriously injured on roads in England and Wales in the year to June 2025, with 1,579 fatalities.
- An estimated 25-30% of collisions involve criminal driving, such as drink or drug use or speeding.
- Victims reported facing lengthy police investigations, poor communication, court delays, and difficulties accessing support.
- The victims' commissioner recommended stronger national standards, oversight, and accountability for road traffic collision investigations, along with more consistent training for police.
An official review has found that victims of road crime feel "forgotten by the system" and that their experiences are not treated with the seriousness they deserve.
The victims' commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman, stated that many of the thousands affected annually by criminal driving believe the harm they have suffered is considered less significant than that from other serious crimes.
The report, which included interviews with injured victims and bereaved families, highlighted issues such as lengthy police investigations, poor communication, court delays, and inadequate support. Some victims reported waiting over two months for witness statements to be taken and expressed dissatisfaction with sentences, particularly when offenders were not jailed after a road death.
Waxman urged the government to implement stronger national standards, oversight, and accountability for road traffic collision investigations, as well as more consistent trauma-informed training for police. Road safety charity Brake and the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) welcomed the report, emphasizing the need for a more victim-centered approach and sustainable funding for specialist support services.