Road Safety Week Is Here; Are You Doing Your Bit?

This week is Road Safety Week in the UK (18 – 24 November), and campaigners are encouraging people to 'step up for safe streets'.

According to the organisers, Brake, the road safety charity, that means taking the time to shout about, and use, the 'the amazing design-led solutions that will allow us all to get around in safe and healthy ways, every day'.

In order to boost the central message of Road Safety Week, Brake is suggesting a number of ways to make a difference and raise awareness. These include individuals pledging to use roads safely and minimise vehicle use, stepping up corporate cycle and safety initiatives, promoting road safety education in schools, and developing safe system solutions at a policy level.

Road Safety Week continues to be an important part of the calendar, especially since someone is injured or killed on a British road every 20 seconds.

Steph Blake was knocked down at a pedestrian crossing in June last year. After an operation to remove part of her skull and alleviate brain swelling, the 22-year old spent nearly three weeks in a coma. Although she is still recovering, Steph has stepped forward to discuss her injuries and raise awareness of Road Safety Week.

Speaking to her local newspaper, she said:

“The past year or so has been the most difficult of my life, and the incident has affected me in so many ways. I was devastated that I couldn’t take up my cabin crew job and it is difficult not to think about how things could have been different. However, I have to remember that I’m lucky to be alive. I’m determined to look to the future and move forward with my life. Nothing will change what has happened, but I just want to encourage people to always be careful on the road. Failing to do so can have massive consequences.”

Road Safety Week runs until Sunday 24 November. To find out more, and get ideas on how you can step up for safe streets, visit the website here.

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