Following the recent road deaths of Dr Marta Krawiec, 41, and Melissa Burr, 32, Caroline Russell has called on the Mayor to find a way to publicly remember those who have lost their lives on London’s roads at future London Assembly meetings.
The move aims to support Vision Zero, the Mayor’s target to reach zero road deaths and injuries in London by 2041. The Mayor confirmed today that 39 people have died on London’s roads this year.
Caroline hopes this act of remembrance will highlight the importance of reducing danger on London's roads and will push TFL to continue its work towards that goal.
The Mayor was supportive of Caroline’s call and has agreed to organise a roundtable meeting with Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport, and Will Norman, Walking and Cycling Commissioner, alongside charities who work on reducing road danger and represent crash victims.
Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell said:
“Every death on our streets is devastating and we must learn from each one of them.
“Remembering the people who sadly die on our roads is important for the families and friends who have lost their loved ones and it underlines to all of us that every death is preventable and not just a figure on a spreadsheet.
“I’m glad that the Mayor today suggested a roundtable meeting with campaigners and his Deputy Mayor for Transport and the Walking and Cycling Commissioner to discuss how a more formal approach can acknowledge the names of those who die on London’s roads.
“It’s essential that their families and friends are shown that they will be remembered by our city and serves as a reminder to keep working hard to make our roads safer for all.”
Nick Simmons, RoadPeace CEO said:
“Road deaths are not normal deaths. They are sudden and unnatural, and families rarely have a chance to say goodbye.
“An act of remembrance means that not only is the death of a loved one marked publicly, but also that the key bodies in London who have responsibility for reducing road danger – the Mayor, the Assembly, TfL and the police - also pay their respects and acknowledge the need to make London’s streets safer.
“It is vitally important that the impact of death and injury is humanised, and the devastation caused brought to the forefront, if Vision Zero is going to be achieved.
“RoadPeace thanks Caroline Russell for calling for this meeting, and the Mayor for agreeing to it, and strongly supports the current work being undertaken in London to achieve Vision Zero.”
Caroline has worked with road danger reduction organisations to support the aims of Vision Zero. This campaign aims to support the family and friends of those who die on our roads, so that we acknowledge their loss and focus on how we can avoid such deaths in future.
Notes to editors
Caroline is avaliable for interview.