Having been in a near fatal collision myself, where a man 4 times over the UK drink drive limit hit my stationary car at over 80mph. This post rings a few bells with me.
Rose Pell explains her role in helping people to cope with the aftermath of an RTC
‘I think I’m going crazy!’ ‘I’ve always been able to cope’. ‘Why can’t I get over this?’
I frequently hear these words when people come to see me after they have been involved in a road traffic incident, irrespective of its severity. For some people a crash can be a life-changing event and even a minor bump can cause fear and anxiety about returning to driving or being a passenger.
I am the Manager of RUSS (Road User Support Service) and with the aid of a Team of counsellors and ADIs (Approved Driving Instructors) we professionally support people who are finding it hard to come to terms with the aftermath of a collision, whether they are drivers, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians, witnesses or family members.
The psychological and practical treatment is available to anyone, irrespective of who was to blame.
I initially explain to clients that everyone’s experience of a crash is unique to them, no-one else will feel exactly as they do. Managing thoughts and reactions that are out of their normal range of everyday emotions can be very challenging, scary and confusing. There can also be a feeling of not being wholly in control. So many factors determine how a person reacts and recovers from such incidents. These include how vulnerable they felt at the time of the crash, the severity or perception of any injuries sustained, behaviour of others involved – which also includes the emergency services, their personal support system, and even parental messages.
You may know someone who is suffering after a road traffic incident who may have one or more, and perhaps even all, of the following symptoms:
Flashbacks and/or intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbance, impaired concentration, lethargy, mood swings, anger, irritability, social withdrawal, reduced work performance, general anxiety and fearfulness. Sometimes people avoid, as far as is possible, driving or journeying as a passenger and maybe prefer to walk or utilise public transport. All of these are normal reactions. Some symptoms will settle down with the passage of time, others may require professional intervention.
Obviously not everyone who is involved in a collision will experience full blown PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or even necessarily need help from RUSS. However, for those whose symptoms persist RUSS is able to provide tailor-made emotional assistance with very well -qualified and experienced counsellors to help resolve any lasting trauma. In addition empathic and skilled ADIs are able to help drivers and riders regain their confidence. Clients who attend RUSS assistance are treated with the upmost respect and care.
RUSS was set up in 1997 and to date has professionally and appropriately assisted over 8,000 people. This specialist help is currently avail- able in Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Owing to an identified need for such a service, in addition to proof of efficacy of treatment, there are plans to expand to other areas in the South West.

Foreign embassies’ motoring fines revealed
The bill for unpaid congestion charges by foreign diplomats in London has reached £87.4m, MPs have been told. The US – which argues it is covered by diplomatic immunity – owes £9.4m, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said. Councils are also owed £322,135 in unpaid parking fines, including £49,000 from the Nigerian High Commission. In a written statement, Mr Hammond said the Foreign Office had held meetings with a number of embassies about their parking fine debt, and had also sent letters asking them to pay or appeal if they thought they were incorrect. Payments totalling £214,154 were then made, he said, leaving the total bill for 2014 of £322,135. The multimillion pound congestion charge bill dates from February 2003 until 31 December 2014.

Update on new law on smoking in cars & other vehicles with someone under 18.
From 1 October 2015 it will be illegal to smoke in a car (or other vehicles) with anyone under 18 present.
The law is changing to protect children and young people from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Both the driver and the smoker could be fined £50.
The law applies to every driver, including those aged 17 and those with a provisional driving licence. The law does not apply if the driver is 17 years old and is on their own in the car.
Every time a child breathes in secondhand smoke, they breathe in thousands of chemicals. This puts them at risk of serious conditions including meningitis, cancer, bronchitis and pneumonia. It can also make asthma worse.
The law applies to any private vehicle that is enclosed wholly or partly by a roof. It still applies if people have the windows or sunroof open, have the air conditioning on, or if they sit in the open doorway of the vehicle.
The law won’t apply to a convertible car with the roof completely
down.
Image by Seriouswheels.com