Newsletter 8
March 2010
from Isobel Brydie
chairman of SCID

SCID is now in its 25th year, little did I think back in 1985 when Wendy and I started, that 25 years on I would still be involved and there would be a need for SCID.

In Scotland in 1985, there was an average of 602 road deaths a year, now there is an average of 270. Every road death is a tragedy for the family involved and we are still vigilant to ensure that these families are supported and treated properly by the improved system in place.

There has been such commitment and dedication from so many people over the years and to all those who have helped, my grateful thanks. Families have raised money, organised petitions to be submitted to the Scottish Parliament, lobbied MPs, MSPs, written to ministers, stood with placards, organised street campaigns, responded to the media, participated in promoting road safety issues, forced through FAIs and written articles for newspapers. All this effort has helped the resulted major changes to the Road Traffic Law and the way in which families are treated. The system is not yet perfect, but it is so much better than 25 years ago, when we were treated with no respect whatsoever and totally ignored by every section of the Criminal Justice System.
Some notable changes:

 In 1985:
 No communication between Procurators Fiscal and relatives.
 No charge of Causing Death while unfit through drink or drugs.
 No charge of Causing Death by Careless Driving.
 No charge of Causing Death while uninsured, unlicensed or disqualified.
 Cases of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving were heard in the Sheriff Court.

 In 2010:
 Guidelines in place for meetings with Procurator Fiscal and Senior Investigating Officers.
 Charge of Causing Death by Careless Driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
 New charge of Causing Death by Careless Driving.
 New charge of Causing Death while uninsured, unlicensed or disqualified.
 Cases of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving now heard in High Court.

I wish to thank everyone who has contributed to our efforts over the years and I hope that
families in the future will benefit from changes we have helped bring about.

Yours sincerely,

Isobel Brydie                                         

Thank You

Most sincere thanks to all families for practical and financial support especially:

John & Carol McKee, Joyce & Alan Beasley, Bill & Joan Keegan, Kathy Taylor, Beth & John Souter, Ken Sutherland, Mike & Fran Baker, Elizabeth Purvis, Ann & Ron Munro, Cecilia Mulford, Maureen Rotchford, Duncan Leith, Andy Bruce, to Linda & Jack Thomson who received £397.04p from clients, to the Campbell family particularly Margo and Linda who organised a charity night in memory of their son and brother, William aged 24, who was killed by a speeding driver. They raised the magnificent sum of £3,700.

Thanks to Charles Lacaille for taking over and maintaining the SCID website.