Road safety charity Brake has revealed ‘Let’s talk about speed’ is the theme of this year’s Road Safety Week.

It will take place between November 19 and 25, aiming to bring communities and professionals together to talk about speed.

Changing attitudes

The 2023 campaign will analyse the issue of speeding. For example, why speeding is thought of as acceptable, what happens when drivers speed and why reducing speed saves lives.

It follows discussions with representatives from community groups, the police, Government, businesses, educators and other charities.

“Every time we driver faster than the speed limit, or too fast for the road conditions, we increase the risk of a crash,” states Ross Moorlock, interim CEO at Brake. “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.”

Sharing the message

This year’s campaign will see a day for each group connected with Road Safety Week.

The week will start with a focus on road crash victims, including commemorating the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, with a fleet focus on Fleet Friday (24 November).

The Road Safety Week campaign is supported by funding from headline sponsors Arval UK and DHL.

Ian Pearson, is head of driver safety and Insurance at Arval UK, a headline sponsor of the event: “Sadly, police recorded that travelling too fast or exceeding the speed limit was a contributory factor in 25% of deaths… 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.”

Protecting all road users

Gavin Murdoch, is managing director at joint headline sponsor DHL Supply Chain. He adds that the aim was to improve understanding and driving attitudes “not only to keep our colleagues safe on the roads, but also pedestrians and other vulnerable road users”.

He believes it is essential to continue “education of the impacts of speeding on our roads”.

Sign up to Road Safety Week 2023 here.