Road trauma describes the physical injuries, psychological effects, or both, that people may experience following a road crash. Every crash is different, and people can experience different outcomes and support needs.

In emergency and hospital care, trauma refers to physical injury. Major trauma is a clinical term used for significant physical injuries, assessed using recognised injury severity criteria. It describes the severity of a person’s injuries rather than how serious a crash appears. Health New Zealand’s Trauma Registry uses specific criteria to identify major trauma cases.

Psychological effects can also follow experiencing or witnessing a crash. Some people may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although distress after a crash does not automatically mean someone has PTSD. Health New Zealand describes PTSD as involving distress that continues over time and affects daily life.

For National Road Trauma Awareness Month, we use road trauma broadly to recognise physical and psychological impacts.

Sources: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora: New Zealand Trauma Registry; Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora: Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Road trauma affects people, families, whānau and communities long after a crash. A dedicated month creates space to strengthen harm prevention (road safety), remember lives lost, recognise those who respond and provide care, and improve understanding of treatment, rehabilitation and recovery. It brings these connected needs together through education, shared knowledge and community participation.

Road crashes can cause serious physical injury, psychological harm and lasting changes to everyday life. Their effects reach emergency services, hospitals, primary care, rehabilitation, workplaces and families. Our Strategic Plan 2026–2036 cites the New Zealand Major Trauma Registry Annual Report 2024/25: transport-related incidents were the leading cause of major trauma nationally, accounting for 49% of cases (1,389). This figure describes the broader transport-related category, rather than road crashes alone or all hospital admissions. It highlights the importance of preventing harm and improving connected care.

November was chosen because this was when our Road Accident Remembrance Day events were largely held. It provides an opportunity to strengthen awareness of road trauma, promote harm prevention and encourage everyone to consider safer journeys, particularly before the busy Christmas and New Year holiday period.

National Road Trauma Awareness Month grew from Road Accident Remembrance Day, established in 2016. The inaugural month takes place in November 2026, ten years later. Expanding from one day to a month provides more opportunities for remembrance, education, recognition and collaboration across prevention, response and recovery.

Prevention, Remembrance, Recovery, Recognition and Education. Together, they acknowledge lives lost, the experiences of survivors and whānau, the contributions of those who respond and care, and the shared responsibility to prevent further harm.

Harm prevention (road safety) seeks to prevent crashes and reduce the severity of injuries through safer roads, speeds, vehicles and road use. Patient-centred care recognises the person behind the injury, including their needs, goals, culture, relationships and wellbeing. Connecting these approaches supports a shared focus on protecting life and improving outcomes throughout the road trauma journey.

Leaving hospital is one stage of recovery. People may continue to need primary care, rehabilitation, psychological support and help returning to everyday activities, relationships and work. Our Strategic Plan recognises the importance of continuity between services and coordinated support across the whole journey. Needs can change over time, and care should respond to the person’s circumstances and priorities.

Survivors, families and whānau bring valuable knowledge of road trauma and its lasting impact. Their perspectives can help identify gaps, improve communication and care, shape useful resources and inform harm prevention education. Participation should always be voluntary, with people choosing whether, when and how they contribute.

The month is for everyone affected by road trauma, including survivors, bereaved families, whānau, friends and communities. It also recognises emergency responders, healthcare and rehabilitation professionals, support services, volunteers and road safety practitioners. Workplaces, researchers, educators and the wider public can contribute to shared learning and safer communities.

Share the Awareness Month information and educational resources, start thoughtful conversations about safer journeys and recovery, recognise people who provide care and support, or contact the National Road Trauma Centre about future collaboration. Participation can be small and meaningful; people do not need to share personal experiences to be involved.

The initiative was established by the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust trading as National Road Trauma Centre, a New Zealand registered charity (CC43668). Its role is to connect people, share knowledge and encourage collaboration across harm prevention, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and recovery.

Future National Road Trauma Awareness Months will seek to expand public education, professional forums, research engagement and knowledge sharing across road safety, emergency response, healthcare and rehabilitation. Opportunities could include expert discussions, workshops, research presentations and collaborative initiatives that translate evidence into practice, strengthen harm prevention and advance patient-centred care.

Future programmes will be shaped by emerging evidence, sector priorities, lived experience feedback and partnerships, with development guided by available resources.

National Road Trauma Awareness Month is a public and population health initiative focused on harm prevention, education and awareness. It does not replace, but complements, the important work of road safety organisations, emergency services, healthcare providers, rehabilitation teams and community organisations.

The month provides a shared platform to connect people, share knowledge, translate research into practice and strengthen collaboration across prevention, response and recovery.