The national charity for road victims, RoadPeace, has announced its permanent closure after 34 years in operation.
Founded by Brigitte Chaudhry in 1992, after the death of her son Mansoor in 1990, RoadPeace has provided information and support services to people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes for more than three decades.
In that time, it has also engaged in evidence-based policy and campaigning work to fight for justice for victims and reduce road danger.
In a statement issued on 12 January, RoadPeace said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we are writing to let you know that, effective from 9th January 2026, RoadPeace will sadly have to stop its crucial work for road crash victims and close permanently.
“This decision has been an extremely difficult one, taken with deep personal sorrow by the Trustees. The main reason for the closure is that not all of the income streams forecast and actively pursued by the charity materialised as anticipated.
“As a result, the charity experienced a significant shortfall in expected revenue, which was essential to the continued operation of RoadPeace as a viable organisation.”
The RoadPeace helpline was the UK’s first ever helpline for road crash victims. It provided support and advice and put road victims in contact with others similarly affected.
The support continued within local groups, more of which have evolved over the years, as well as campaigns, support with the legal process and information sharing in relation to road safety.
RoadPeace also initiated the World Day of Remembrance and advocated for its adoption by the UN – achieved in 2005. Now the World Day is a global day, observed in most countries of the world, since road deaths and injuries are also suffered worldwide.
RoadPeace added: “We would like to pass on our sincere gratitude to all our volunteers, supporters, staff, friends, funders, partners and all who have supported our work – none of RoadPeace’s accomplishments would have been possible without their sheer courage, dedication and commitment.
“It’s hard to put into words the range of emotions that we feel. As we all have lived experiences, we know firsthand the colossal devastation caused by road crashes, and the ripple effect that continues long after, which is why RoadPeace will leave a huge gap in so many people’s lives.
“Most of all, there is a combination of sadness, hope and pride – sadness that RoadPeace won’t be there for future generations, hope that without RoadPeace other related charities will continue to provide support, and pride in the incredible achievements of the charity throughout its history and the incredible impact it has had on everyone who has taken part in our work in any way.”
Totally shocked to hear this news, as I for the last 16 years have co-ordinated the Road Victims Memorial service in Hull (one of the few Councils that have done this from the early days).
I hope that someone steps up (RSGB/Brake/ROSPA?) to co-ordinate this event Nationally on the 3rd Sunday of November, as families draw strength from this each year
Allan Robins, Kingston upon Hull
+3
The work of RoadPeace, especially here in the Northwest when Pauline Fielding was alive, has been of great help to my wife and I after our son, aged 22, was run over and killed just before Christmas 2000. Without the tenacity and selfless hard work of people like Pauline and Brigitte the much needed changes in how victims are treated and safety on our roads is viewed would not have occurred. The support they have given to those traumatised by bereavement and injury is wonderful but their fight for justice and change in the way our roads are used is also vital.
Our heartfelt thanks and sense of sadness and loss go to them, the staff and the volunteers. They will be greatly missed.
David, Wirral
+13
Very sorry to learn RoadPeace is closing. Many charities receive government funding, as indeed do Cycling UK.
This is a vital organisation and bad news that is has to go.
Keith Bingham, Dorking
+10
Sad that an organisation that has for many years carried out such great work has had to close.
Those that worked so hard for and with RoadPeace can be very proud of what they achieved over the years.
Bill Smith, Giffnock
+19