The annual ‘Road Safety Week’, organised by the charity Brake, gets underway today.

This year’s theme is ‘Safe Roads For All’ and is calling on all road users to ensure they are up to date with the latest Highway Code.

Read and react

Running from the 14th to the 20th November, Brake is calling on drivers to read and follow the new Highway Code. The latest copy was updated earlier this year giving greater priority to people cycling and on foot.

Speed and space on the roads is also key to this year’s campaign. Abiding by speed limits, slowing down and giving more space for vulnerable road users, people in towns and on rural roads.

Changing figures

Analysis of the 2021 road casualties statistics, carried out by Brake, shows big discrepancies between different road user types. It presents a picture of increasing vulnerability for those not cosseted in cars, vans or lorries.

The rate of deaths and serious injuries of pedestrians, by distance travelled, increased by 19% in 2021 compared to 2020.

Meanwhile, the rate of deaths and serious injuries for cyclists, using the same metric, increased by 27%.

By comparison, there was a 2% increase across all road users and a 3% increase for car occupants.

Making an impact

“Road crashes devastate families who are bereaved and seriously injured,” states Mary Williams OBE, Brake chief executive.

“Road Safety Week is an opportunity for everyone – particularly drivers, and also employers, and community leaders – to come together and make roads safe for all, particularly the most vulnerable. Drivers can slow down and give people space.

“Employers can implement safe driving policies for their employees. Community leaders can work with their local authorities for measures that protect people, such as cycle paths.

“Road casualties are an appalling carnage that can and must end, through us all taking the right steps.”

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