An earlier study by FEVR, the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims, established that families bereaved through road death, as well as disabled victims and their families, suffer a dramatic decline in their quality of life and standard of living. The present study was designed to determine the causes of that decline and propose solutions for improvements. Sixteen organisations representing victims from 9 European countries undertook a survey of bereaved and injured victims and their relatives by means of a comprehensive questionnaire submitted to nearly 10,000 families. The most significant findings of this latest research are: a) That information given to victims of road crashes about their legal rights and support organisations is totally inadequate; b) That most victims and affected families need considerable emotional, practical and legal support; c) That victims and their families declare widespread dissatisfaction with the criminal and civil justice systems; d) That there is no legal recognition of long-term impairment caused by head injury, which is frequent; and e) That psychological suffering by the victims and their relatives is often extreme and long-lasting. This suffering often increases with time and is frequently the cause of serious illness which may even lead to death. The victims and/or their families were asked to add their views and make their recommendations for improvements, which most did with incisive clarity, and these contributions substantiated the findings of the research. Practical solutions are proposed, as well as a list of legislative improvements, some of which are already in force in some European countries, for immediate and urgent implementation by all European governments.
Abstract