Chelmsford High Street fell silent yesterday as the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) unveiled its poignant Road Safety Week event- 51 pairs of shoes, each representing a life lost on Essex roads last year.
The Brake Road Safety Week event brought together the SERP’s partners, including Essex Council, Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue, The East of England Ambulance Trust and National Highways in a united commitment to reduce road harm. It also forms part of the SERP’s wider work during Road Safety Week to encourage the public to take simple, life-saving actions and support the county’s ambition for Vision Zero, eliminating fatal and serious collisions by 2040.
Families who have lost loved ones were in attendance, including the Grieve family whose mother, Hilary, tragically died in a collision and would have celebrated her birthday that day. The Crane family also joined the event, bringing along the trainers of 19-year-old Sonny, who sadly lost his life in a young driver collision in Waltham Abbey. Laying the shoes he wore in the collision, they spoke warmly of their cherished son and brother, ensuring his story was part of the collective remembrance.
Will Cubbin, Partnership Manager for the SERP, said: “Every pair of shoes represents a person who should still be walking among us. The display moved people in a way that statistics simply cannot. When families share memories, when the public stop in silence, it reminds us exactly why Vision Zero matters, because every life lost is one too many, and every journey should end safely.”
The event drew hundreds of members of the public who were visibly moved by the human cost of road collisions. Many shared their own experiences of loss, trauma and near misses; bringing Essex residents to the heart of the conversation and reminding everyone that safer roads rely on shared responsibility and everyday choices behind the wheel.
Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, Essex Police said: “The reaction we saw today shows just how deeply road harm affects our communities. These aren’t numbers; they’re loved ones whose lives were cut short by preventable behaviour; speed, distraction, impairment. Our commitment is clear: we will continue targeting risky driving behaviours and working with partners to ensure no more families must stand at a display like this.”
The SERP continues to work year-round to reduce road harm through education in schools and colleges, community engagement and targeted enforcement with partners, but achieving Vision Zero is only possible if every road user plays their part.
Chris Else, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our crews see the devastating aftermath of collisions, and the memorial captures that loss in a profoundly human way. Standing alongside bereaved families today reinforces why education, prevention and post-crash response all matter. Together, we must create roads which are safe for everyone”
The memorial will also feature in the SERP’s forthcoming short film capturing public reactions, personal stories and the powerful symbolism behind the installation- ensuring the message continues.
To find out more about Vision Zero and how Essex road users can play their part, visit:
www.saferessexroads.org/visionzero
To watch the upcoming Road Safety Week film, follow the Safer Essex Road Partnerships’ social channels: @SaferEssexRoads
