Road Safety Week Looks Different for Some

A Christchurch based road trauma advocate is encouraging reflection during Road Safety Week, highlighting the importance of recognising lived experience alongside harm prevention.

Sarah Dean, Founder and Trustee of the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust trading as National Road Trauma Centre, and a road crash survivor, said she wanted to recognise this in a way that felt authentic and grounded in lived experience.

“Road Safety Week plays an important role in raising awareness and focusing on preventing harm,” Dean says.

“At the same time, for some people, it can bring everything back — the crash, the injuries, and the long path of recovery that often continues long after the moment itself.”

Dean’s reflection highlights that, for many, the impact of road trauma extends beyond the roadside, including long term physical, emotional and psychological effects.

She also notes that increased media coverage during this period, while valuable for awareness, can be difficult for some individuals to absorb.

“For some, the repetition of stories, imagery, and messaging can feel overwhelming. It is important that people feel able to respond in a way that feels right for them,” she says.

Alongside the reflection, Dean has shared an open letter acknowledging those impacted by road trauma including those living with long standing injuries, those who have lost loved ones, and those quietly carrying the ongoing impact.

The letter offers a message of recognition and reassurance, acknowledging both the visible and less visible realities of road trauma.

“This is about recognising the full reality of road trauma in this moment,” Dean says.

The open letter concludes with a simple message: We see you.

An Open Letter for Road Safety Week

To all those impacted by road trauma, in any way, we see you.

To those living with injuries, long standing injuries, and the reality of recovery that continues long after others have moved on, we recognise what that takes.

To those who lie awake at night in pain, or sit quietly carrying what others cannot see, you are not alone.

To those who have lost loved ones, whose lives changed in an instant, and whose grief continues beyond the moment the world moved on, we hold space for you.

To those who may find the increased media coverage during this week difficult, the repetition of stories, imagery and messages can be overwhelming. It is okay to be kind to yourself.

To those who have not felt seen, heard, or cared for in the way you needed at the time, your experience matters.

To those navigating what comes next, often quietly and without visibility, we acknowledge how much that is.

To those working across the system to prevent harm, your work matters. To those focused on safer roads, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and safer systems, we recognise the role you play.

To those who continue to show up, to act, and to care, thank you.

You are helping to reduce harm. You are helping to make our communities safer.

We see you.

Sarah Dean

Founder and Trustee

- Survivor

Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust trading as National Road Trauma Centre

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