Brake has announced the theme ‘Let’s talk about speed’ for Road Safety Week, which will take place in November.
The charity chose the subject to highlight the fact that five people die on UK roads every day and to start conversations about why speeding is thought of as acceptable in some situations, what happens when we speed and why reducing speed saves lives.
It was suggested by community groups, the police, Government, businesses, educators and other charities.
Ross Moorlock, Interim CEO at Brake, said: “Every time we drive faster than the speed limit, or too fast for the road conditions, we increase the risk of a crash – and we increase the chance that someone will be killed or hurt on the road.
“The faster you go, the longer the stopping distance and the harder you will hit something.
“Whoever you are, and however you travel – this year we are challenging everyone to start talking about speed with your friends, families and colleagues.”
This year’s campaign takes place between November 19 and 25.
“Contributory factor in 25% of deaths”
There will be focused days on road crash victims, emergency services, educators, professional organisations such as local authorities, road safety professionals and employers, fleet services and communities.
The Road Safety Week campaign is supported by funding from headline sponsors Arval UK and DHL.
Ian Pearson, Head of Driver Safety and Insurance at Arval UK, said: “Sadly, police recorded that travelling too fast or exceeding the speed limit was a contributory factor in 25% of deaths, where an officer attended the scene of a collision – travelling slower may have reduced that terrible figure.
“To shape better driving decisions, we’d encourage organisations to sign up to support Road Safety Week in 2023.
“We believe this year’s focus will help make millions of people think before speeding and raise awareness to the impact it can have on the lives of others.”
Gavin Murdoch, Managing Director, Network Transport Solutions UKI at DHL Supply Chain, said: “The focus for this year’s theme is very important to us in ensuring our professional drivers and colleagues remain safe on the roads.
“Continuing education of the impacts of speeding on our roads will be encouraged further during Road Safety Week in support of Brakes vital road safety work.”
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