We live in a world with multiple distractions and screens, devices and gadgets that we engage with thousands of times a day. The temptation to answer a call or read a message while driving is one we’ve all probably felt at some point, and due to an increase of phone usage from drivers, the law became even more strict in March 2022 when it became illegal to touch your phone or any device while driving in a bid to reduce the number of distracted drivers on the road.
The penalty for being caught holding or touching your phone or any other device is now up to 6 points on your license and a £200 fine, although in some cases you may be banned from driving and be taken to court. Probably not worth glancing down to read the WhatsApp group messages about the weekend’s antics…
While the government is updating laws and policies to make the roads as safe as possible, road safety charity Brake are also playing a huge part in spreading the message of the importance of being careful on the road and to highlight what we can all do to reduce collisions and keep every road user as safe as possible.
Road Safety Week – what’s it all about?
Road safety charity Brake is behind Road Safety Week which starts today and has been running for an impressive 25 years. “Every year, thousands of schools, organisations and communities get involved to share important road safety messages, remember people affected by road death and injury, and raise funds to help Brake care for more road victims and campaign for safe roads for everyone,” the charity explains. They go on to say that they will work hard to raise awareness of “key areas of road safety the Government supports” which includes “safe roads, safe vehicles and speeds, the new hierarchy of road users, and the importance of inclusivity.”
Stats and Facts
According to Brake, 1,608 people were killed in a road traffic collision (or RTC) in 2021, and a huge 26,701 were seriously injured. Following a drop in numbers of collisions in 2020 due to fewer people on the roads during the pandemic, deaths and serious injuries have increased by 15% since 2020.
Brake also report that someone is killed or seriously injured as a result of a road traffic collision every 16 minutes in the UK.
What’s the reason behind most collisions on the road?
It’s estimated that over 90% of collisions occur due to human error. Tiredness, being distracted by a phone or passenger, speeding, being over the alcohol limit, or simply making errors in judgement can all result in a collision that causes serious injury or death.
“Many road users avoid using the word ‘accident’ to describe an event on the road. This word has certainly fallen out of fashion with it being a rather blameless word. In reality, car crashes aren’t accidents and 94% are due to human error, not an accident. Police often use the word ‘collision’ instead whereas the general public often just say ‘crash’,” explains ORSA.
Speed matters
Speeding is another leading cause in injuries and deaths on the road and the pedestrian safety statistics speak for themselves. According to the Active Transportation Alliance, a pedestrian who is hit by a car going 20 mph has a 10% chance of dying, whereas a pedestrian who is struck at 40 mph has an 80% chance of dying.
Our actions matter
Our actions on the road matter. We are literally taking our lives and the lives of others in our hands when we get behind the wheel. It can be easy to go onto autopilot when driving the same old commute to work or cruising down the motorway, but concentration, care, and caution are vital when it comes to safe driving.
Being alert, aware of our surroundings, and able to react to hazards in time could end up saving lives, and allowing ourselves to become distracted or in a position when we aren’t able to be the best drivers we can be is irresponsible and dangerous.
Let’s all get behind Road Safety Week but remember their message for the other 51 weeks of the year as well.
