A Lisburn woman, who lost her husband in a head-on collision almost three years ago, is leading calls for everyone, particularly drivers, to use our roads safely.
Joy Gordon’s husband of seven years, Jonny 29, died in a collision with another car on 24 January 2020. The driver of the other car was hurt but survived the crash.
Since then, Joy, 31, has been struggling to come to terms with the trauma of losing her lifelong best friend. The fact that he was taken so suddenly has caused her immense grief as she didn't have the chance to say ‘Goodbye’, or ‘I love you.’
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On the day of the crash, Joy, a hospital nurse, was at work and learned that Jonny had been killed in a road crash, from a police officer.
She told Belfast Live: "The day Jonny’s life was taken was the day my life changed forever. It was meant to be like any other day and little did I know the events that were about to unfold later that day would alter the course of my life forever.
"I went to work early that day and the police came to the hospital to find me and eventually told me that my husband had died in a crash. My situation isn't a typical road accident that you hear about involving people on their phones, speeding or drunk drivers.
"Jonny took unwell behind the wheel - it was nobody's fault and it couldn't really have been prevented."
Joy added: "The weeks that followed were, quite honestly, hell. Jonny was my husband, best friend and soulmate. The pain and devastation is immeasurable and the loss of hopes, dreams, a future and the family we would build together was all gone in the blink of an eye without even the opportunity to say goodbye.
"How do you move forward or rebuild out of a wreckage when life has been shattered right in front of you? I went to work as a wife but came home as a 29-year-old widow. I not only lost my husband, I also lost a part of myself. Everything was just gone and a part of me died that day too."
Joy is bravely sharing her story to remember Jonny and to help others who are going through the same ordeal by calling for ‘Safe Roads for All’ this Road Safety Week.
"Everybody's life matters and everyone deserves to make it home alive and safely. Road accidents can be prevented so it's very important for me to represent those people who can't be here to speak for themselves and to speak on behalf of families who have lost a loved one," she said.
"People need to take that extra bit of time when they're on the road to pay attention and consider how their actions could affect another person. It takes a split second to lift your phone but the ramifications can lead to a lifetime of pain for someone else.
"Although my situation is very different, I understand the pain of what it's like to lose a loved one suddenly on the road."
In Jonny’s memory, Joy ran the Belfast Marathon relay, organising teams to help raise £10,000 for Brake. She is incredibly proud of this accomplishment and hopes to raise more money for the charity in the future.
Deaths and serious injuries on roads in Northern Ireland are on the rise, with people on foot, bicycles and motorcycles facing particular risk, according to new data from the road safety charity, Brake.
Brake, which coordinates Road Safety Week and provides help for families bereaved and seriously injured by road crashes, is calling on everyone, particularly drivers, to help end the carnage and make roads safe for all, which is the theme of this week.
The charity is also calling on drivers to learn and follow the new Highway Code, which changed this year to give greater priority to people on bicycles and foot. All drivers can stay within speed limits, watch out for people, and give more space.
Road crashes hit at the heart of families and Brake’s National Road Victim Service supports the bereaved like Joy and seriously injured families with dedicated caseworkers, helping with emotional support and practical care.
The number of people killed or seriously injured on roads increased by 32% in 2021 from the previous year, compared to 15 percent in the UK as a whole.
One in four road deaths and serious injuries (220 out of 859) were cyclists or people on foot. In 2020, there were 173 cyclist and pedestrian road deaths and serious injuries. The number of motorcyclist deaths was the highest since 2009, with 14 deaths recorded last year.
International comparisons for 2020 show that there were 30 fatalities per million population in NI, compared with 23 in the UK.
Across the region, schools, employers and community groups are also supporting the week with awareness raising activities, using Road Safety Week packs from Brake, which can be downloaded for free here.
Belfast Harbour Police will carry out vehicle check points and increased speed checks across Belfast Harbour Estate, speaking to drivers to offer advice and information about the ‘Safe Roads for All’ campaign.
Belfast Harbour Police Chief Officer, Michael Daly said: “Sector Policing teams will engage with road users, including HGV drivers as well as cyclists, promoting the importance of correct signalling, and the use of hi-vis clothing and lighting on bicycles.
“Road safety is an important issue for everyone and it is vital that we each take responsibility for keeping each other safe.”
Chief executive of Brake, Mary Williams, added: "Brake's National Road Victim Service sees the devastation caused by road crashes, which strike at the heart of families. We can and must all work together to stop these appalling tragedies and make our roads safe for all.
"We are appealing to everyone, particularly drivers, employers and communities, to shout out for Safe Roads for All in Road Safety Week and every week.
"Whether you are a driver slowing down, an employer introducing more safe driving policies, or a community working with a local authority for a 20mph limit, we can all make a difference. To take part and to fundraise for Brake or make a donation, go to www.brake.org.uk/RSW.”
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