With five people dying on UK roads every day, Cleveland Fire Brigade is calling on drivers to reduce their speed and make our roads safer for everyone.
The call comes in support of Road Safety Week which is led by the Brake Charity and runs between 19th and 25th November 2023.
Their shocking statistics show that every year, drivers breaking the speed limit or driving too fast for the road conditions cause 345 deaths and 3388 serious injuries on roads in Britain.
The ‘Let’s Talk About Speed’ campaign invites drivers to take part in a national conversation about speed – one of the biggest killers on our road, and challenge why so many people still consider it acceptable to break the speed limit. When it comes to road safety, speed matters. In a crash, 1mph can mean the difference between life and death. The formula is simple: the higher the speed, the longer the stopping distance, the harder the crash and the greater the risk of death and injury.
During the campaign week the Cleveland Road Safety Partnership are running a series of events across the Teesside area at further education colleges in support of the road safety charity.
Andrew Bright, Cleveland Fire Brigade’s Road Safety Co-ordinator said: ‘Being in charge of a motor vehicle brings considerable responsibility and not understanding the consequences of watching your speed can bring tragic consequences. Speed limits are maximums, not targets and every driver should be driving to the road and weather conditions to give them the best chance to react in an emergency. As we move towards the more challenging time of the year with reduced daylight hours and treacherous weather conditions, we’re appealing for all road users to take extra care.
Journeys may take longer in poor weather conditions, so drivers are urged to give themselves more time. Excess or inappropriate speed is a major contributor to serious injury collisions, so we are also appealing to drivers to watch their speed and give themselves more time in adverse weather conditions as it takes longer to stop in snow, ice or wet.
Drivers should be looking out for pedestrians and cyclists who are particularly vulnerable. Equally it is important that they are as visible as possible so wearing something reflective or attaching light reflectors to bags can help keep you safe and even save lives. Cyclists should have lights and reflectors on their bikes but can further enhance their visibility using additional reflectors and wearing bright clothing. Parents can also help by checking that their kids are appropriately equipped and will be visible when out after dark near the roads.
All road users have their part to play in ensuring their journey remains safe, so it is important we all look out for each other.”
Across Cleveland in November 2022, one pedestrian was tragically killed and 74 people were injured in road traffic collisions – 22 with serious injuries and 52 with slight injuries. 44 were car occupants, 7 were motorcyclists, 17 were pedestrians, 6 were pedal cyclists and one was a bus occupant.
During the campaign week Cleveland Fire Brigade and other members of the Cleveland Road Safety Partnership will be visiting colleges across the Teesside area promoting the key road safety messages in support of Brake.
Monday 20th November – Middlesbrough FE College
Tuesday 21st November – Hartlepool FE College
Wednesday 22nd November – Redcar & Cleveland College
Thursday 23rd November – Bede Sixth Form College
Friday 24th November – Stockton Riverside College
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