Recognising the Full Impact of Road Trauma
The inaugural National Road Trauma Awareness Month will be held throughout November 2026.
Established by the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust trading as National Road Trauma Centre, it is a national public health promotion initiative designed to strengthen awareness, education and understanding of road trauma across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The initiative recognises road trauma as a complex public health and societal challenge requiring a coordinated approach across harm prevention, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation, psychological recovery and long-term wellbeing.
National Road Trauma Awareness Month will be observed annually throughout November.
A Connected National Approach
National Road Trauma Awareness Month reflects the National Road Trauma Centre’s connected approach across prevention, response and recovery.
Guided by harm reduction (safe system principles) and a patient-centred care approach, the initiative brings together road safety promotion, public education, professional knowledge, research translation and community engagement.
It recognises the importance of coordinated action across road safety, transport, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation, research, government and community sectors. It also places people at the centre by acknowledging individual needs, dignity, participation and wellbeing throughout the road trauma journey.
Purpose and Focus
National Road Trauma Awareness Month seeks to:
- promote Safe System principles and shared responsibility for preventing road trauma
- strengthen public understanding of human vulnerability and the importance of safer roads, speeds, vehicles and road use
- support harm prevention and reduction initiatives aimed at reducing lives lost, serious injuries and long-term harm
- increase understanding of emergency response, trauma systems and post-crash care
- improve awareness of the long-term physical, psychological, social and economic impacts of serious injury and major trauma
- promote patient-centred and whānau-centred approaches across treatment, rehabilitation and recovery
- improve access to evidence-informed education, practical information and recovery resources
- encourage research translation, knowledge sharing and informed public discussion
- strengthen collaboration across the road safety, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation, research and community sectors
- recognise excellence, innovation, leadership and collaboration through the New Zealand Road Safety Emergency Response and Healthcare Awards
Together, these areas support a coordinated public health approach that promotes prevention, strengthens understanding and contributes to improved recovery and wellbeing outcomes.
Understanding the Road Trauma Journey
Road trauma is not confined to a single event or stage.
For survivors, the effects of serious injury and major trauma may continue throughout emergency treatment, acute and hospital care, primary care, rehabilitation and long-term physical and psychological recovery.
National Road Trauma Awareness Month promotes greater understanding of this complete continuum:
- Prevention
- Emergency Response and Acute Care
- Hospital Care
- Primary Care Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Psychological Recovery and Wellbeing
Recovery is not always linear. Individual needs and circumstances may change over time, requiring connected, compassionate and responsive care for as long as support is needed.
The initiative also remembers those whose lives have been lost and acknowledges the enduring impact on families, whānau, friends and communities following the loss of a loved one.
Education and Public Engagement
Education is central to National Road Trauma Awareness Month.
Throughout November, the initiative will create opportunities to share evidence-informed information, promote prevention-focused messages, increase awareness of serious injury and major trauma and encourage informed conversations about treatment, rehabilitation, recovery and wellbeing.
Digital resources, public awareness activities, stakeholder engagement and collaborative initiatives will support accessible learning for the public, professionals, workplaces and communities across New Zealand.
Collaboration Across the System
No single organisation can prevent or address road trauma alone.
National Road Trauma Awareness Month provides a platform for government agencies, emergency services, healthcare providers, rehabilitation professionals, researchers, road safety practitioners, community organisations and people with lived experience to contribute knowledge, strengthen relationships and support shared learning.
The National Road Trauma Centre does not seek to replace the important work undertaken by existing organisations. Its role is to connect people, share knowledge, encourage collaboration and support continuous improvement across the road trauma system.
Our Origins
National Road Trauma Awareness Month evolved from the Road Accident Remembrance Day established in 2016.
The original initiative developed through collaboration with government agencies, non-profit emergency services, healthcare providers and representatives from across the wider road trauma sector.
It was founded on five key facets: acknowledging first responders and those involved in post-crash care and recovery; acknowledging survivors; remembering those whose lives had been lost; promoting road safety; and recognising exceptional contributions through the Awards.
These original facets remain part of the initiative’s history and are represented by the five pillars within the National Road Trauma Awareness Month identity.
Expanding the initiative from a single day to a month-long national programme reflects the breadth and complexity of road trauma. It provides greater opportunity for public education, professional engagement, harm prevention and reduction, recognition and community participation.
November was selected in recognition of the month in which the original Road Accident Remembrance Day was held.
Inaugural National Road Trauma Awareness Month
The inaugural National Road Trauma Awareness Month in November 2026 will establish the foundation for an annual national programme of public education, awareness, collaboration and engagement.
Through sustained development and partnership, the initiative will support greater understanding of road trauma and contribute to safer systems, improved coordination and better long-term outcomes for people, families, whānau and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.