RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, has welcomed National Highways’ decision to phase out the word ‘accident’ from its communications.
It says this is a significant shift in how road collisions are described, hailing it as a crucial step forward in recognising that road deaths and injuries are preventable, and it aligns with growing demands for accountability in road danger reduction.
For many years, RoadPeace has led a ‘Crash Not Accident’ campaign, urging authorities, the media and members of the public to use terms such as ‘crash’ or ‘collision,’ arguing that ‘accident’ implies inevitability and downplays the human error or negligence often involved.
National Highways has now joined this effort, replacing ‘accident’ with ‘collision’ in its communications, including social media and other documentation, though the change on roadside signage will take longer.
Kate Davidson, CEO of RoadPeace, said: “RoadPeace welcomes National Highways’ decision to phase out the use of the word ‘accident’ in favour of ‘collision.’ This is a significant step forward in recognising that road crashes are not random events, but preventable incidents caused by human actions.
“For far too long, the term ‘accident’ has masked accountability and allowed society to dismiss the daily tragedy of road deaths and serious injuries as inevitable. Changing this language is essential in shifting attitudes and ensuring that we, as a society, take road danger seriously.
“We look forward to seeing this change reflected across all platforms, from publications to digital signage, as National Highways continues this important work.”
National Highways confirmed that while updating its electronic roadside signs will take time due to the complexity and costs involved, it is working towards a unified national system that will facilitate the transition.
Laura Laker, journalist and author of the Road Collision Reporting Guidelines, also welcomed the news: “We know language shapes how we view the world, and words do matter. National Highways were among the last bastions of the word ‘accident’ in the road safety profession, and their willingness to change is to be applauded,” she said.
“I know behind the scenes a number of players and organisations have requested this change – and though it took a while, I’m relieved we got there in the end. Updating its roadside messaging is the next step, and it’s one National Highways says it is working towards. It may be a small change, but it is right that our language reflects the reality on the ground – that most collisions are preventable.
“Describing crashes as ‘accidents’ only masked the uncomfortable truth, that it only takes one dangerous manoeuvre, one moment’s distraction, a few miles an hour above the safe limit, for any of us to cause a crash.”
Highways News endeavours to follow RoadPeace’s lead and not use the word “accident” to describe a crash or collision, and welcomes any readers to alert us if we were to mistakenly use the term.
(Picture – RoadPeace)
