Where possible, informed consent should be obtained from an appropriate contact of the individual/s involved in the road traffic incident before identifying those involved.
Trauma is common following a road traffic incident. The media has a role to minimise the long-term impacts of road trauma by avoiding intrusion and where serious injury or death has occurred, allowing privacy to all grieving parties. Road trauma experts recommend not approaching family members or friends for an interview or comment as it could cause further harm.
Following an incident, grieving family and friends may have reduced capacity to consent to or understand the impact the interview may have on their mental health.
