ABSTRACT
This chapter is based on original data that was collected from the innovative project ‘Road Sharing – A Restorative Approach’, which was conducted during 2015 in Bristol, UK. Concerns had been raised about the increasing numbers of conflicts relating to road usage. Subsequently, a pilot project was undertaken by Bristol Mediation with support from the local government and police force. Seventy-one people attended 11 small groups of mixed road users. The restorative model used was a peacemaking circle, enabling everyone to have a voice. The pilot results were positive. For example, instead of regarding different road users as enemies and competitors, this project harnessed listening and consideration of other views, leading to a cooperative ethos. Aligned with the Handbook’s vision of pushing the boundaries of criminology and restorative justice, this chapter concludes that the Bristol pilot model of restorative working could be applied to other situations, such as focus groups, hard-to-reach groups with fixed views and incidents of road rage.
