New campaign raises awareness of impact of road collisions

Last year, 45 people in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent died after a road collision, which is why the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the devastating impact on victims’ families, friends and communities.

Brake’s Road Safety Week starts on Sunday 17 November, which is also World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, and runs until Saturday 23 November. The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘After the Crash, Every Road Victim Counts’.

The SSRP aims to reduce road collisions through joint work by partners including Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office, Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council and National Highways. 

During the week, the SSRP will highlight the part we can all play in keeping our roads safer, and the impact speeding, using a mobile phone while driving or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can have on our risk of being killed or seriously injured in a collision.

Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Dave Evans co-Chairs the SSRP, alongside Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams.

Dave said: 

“Road Safety Week is an opportunity to remember those who are killed or injured on our roads, and campaign for everyone’s right to make safe and healthy journeys.

“Last year, 45 people in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent died on our roads and a further 366 were seriously injured. It’s vital we keep our road network as safe as possible for everyone, whether we walk, ride, cycle or drive.

“Every road victim counts, and we can all make a difference. Whenever we choose to speed, use a mobile phone while driving or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, we increase the risk of a collision.”

Road Safety Week is the UK’s flagship event to promote safer road use, coordinated annually by the charity Brake and involving thousands of schools, communities and organisations across the country.

Full details on this year’s campaign can be found at: 

www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk. 

People can also support the campaign by following #RoadSafetyWeek on Twitter and sharing posts on their social media channels.

Find out more about the work of the SSRP here: 

www.staffssaferroads.co.uk