Road Safety GB are profoundly saddened by the news of the passing of its former chair, Sonya Hurt.
Sonya was a dedicated supporter of Road Safety GB, which included being vice chair, before becoming chair of the organisation from 2016 to 2018.
Sonya was well known to the road safety profession having worked across the sector for 30 years and had an absolute passion for this area of work. She specialised in the fields of road safety, safety engineering, traffic management and highway design.
A major part of Sonya’s career was with Nottinghamshire County Council, later being employed by Via East Midlands – a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and Cornwall County Council – delivering a sustainable highways service for Nottinghamshire. Sonya held various roles including team manager for road safety.
Sonya had many successes include winning submissions for both the Highways Excellence Awards ‘Road Safety Scheme of the Year’ and the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award, presented to Nottinghamshire for its outstanding contribution to road safety.
In an ever changing local government environment, Sonya’s work ethos was to continue to maintain a professional, forward thinking and innovative approach to delivering road safety solutions.
Sonya went on to use her wealth of experience to secure a strategic role at a national level when she became CEO of The Road Safety Trust in July 2022.
Improving road safety is a long term ambition for all road safety professionals and Sonya helped to move things in the right direction. She was a key figure within Road Safety GB for a substantial period of time and there is no doubt that she helped to shape and progress how the organisation has moved forward. Road Safety GB benefited significantly from her support, input and dedication to road safety.
As well as a work colleague, Sonya was also a friend to many and will be fondly remembered for her kindness, her warm smile and her generous nature.
Quite simply the world is going to be poorer without Sonya.
I was profoundly saddened to hear the news of Sonya’s passing. The time we spent working together at RSGB was a joy and an inspiration. Sonya was a valued colleague and a trusted, supportive Chair during those years and it was a privilege to have worked with her. She was, in all respects, the kind of person that the road safety profession needs – matching commitment, passion and empathy with an impressive breadth of knowledge and skills. And oh how she could light up a room just by being in it. Sonya will be missed by many and my thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues right now, all of whom I know will understand and celebrate the legacy of someone so committed to this cause. Rest in Peace Sonya.
Jeremy Phillips, Exeter
+2
So very, very sad. My thoughts go to Sonya’s family and friends at this time and personally in our working life I will miss her enthusiasm, professionalism, kindness and knowledge. RIP Sonya x
Liz Brooker, London
+2
Sonya truly epitomised what road safety is about. She was caring, passionate, determined and understanding. She will be a real loss to the industry. My thoughts are with her family friends and work colleagues.
Such sad news for all that knew her.
Wayne Norris, Solihull
+2
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sonya. She was a close work colleague, and good friend to both Linda and I. She created light all around, and was a joy to work with, and to be with. She will be missed by so many. Our thoughts are with her family and friends, on this sad, sad day.
Alan Kennedy, Durham
+6
This is such very sad news. Her passing is a loss to the profession. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and friends.
Ian Edwards, Doncaster
+7
Tragic loss, rest in peace now love. Xx
Heidi Duffy, Nottinghamshire
+9