Road safety is a skill that all young people should have, especially when they transition into adulthood and start learning to drive.

Note: While this blog was written for Road safety week, the lessons learnt are important year round. 

What is road safety awareness week and when does it take place?

Every 17 minutes* someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. (*Figure reflects a 10-year average from 2014 to 2023).

The theme for this year’s Road Safety Week, which takes place between 17-23 November, has been announced as ‘After the Crash’. Organised by Brake, Road Safety Week is regarded as the UK’s biggest annual road safety campaign. This campaign begins on the third Sunday in November, coinciding with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. 

The week serves as a time to honour those who have lost their lives or been seriously injured in road incidents, providing an opportunity for communities to come together in support, remembrance, and advocacy while also educating people on better road safety throughout the week.

Why is it important that we have an awareness week?

In the UK, the statistics around road-related deaths and injuries are a startling reminder of the importance of road safety awareness:

  • 1,695 people were killed (1,624 in Britain, 71 in NI).
  • 28,967 were seriously injured (28,087 in Britain, 880 in NI).
  • Road deaths have decreased by 5% since 2022.
  • Total serious injuries have slightly increased (up from 28,899 in 2022). The percentage has not changed.
  • Aside from during the pandemic, there has been little change in the number of people killed and injured on our roads in the last decade (1,854 road deaths in 2014).

Source: Department for Transport (2024) Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report: 2023 and supporting data sets.

These figures highlight a pressing need for stronger measures and a more widespread public understanding of how to reduce risks. The “After the Crash” theme encourages a deeper look into the human stories behind these numbers, emphasising the need for greater accountability and compassion for road victims.

Why does language matter?

Choosing the right language around road incidents is crucial. Road safety organisations encourage avoiding the term “accident” for describing road crashes, as it can imply the event was unpreventable or that no one was responsible. Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs Council Lead for Roads Policing, called for an end to the use of the word “accident” when describing collisions during the RoadPeace Challenge last year.

Victoria, a road crash survivor supported by Road Peace explains: “I can’t help but get upset when people call a crash an accident. I lost my leg in a crash with a lorry. It was preventable – and even though the driver didn’t intend for the crash to happen, it was still his fault.”

It’s important to use the term “road crash”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a crash as “a violent collision” which better describes the impact of a road traffic incident.

Focusing on road safety year round 

To reduce road crashes, it’s vital to provide young people with preventative education that equips them with the skills to keep themselves and others safe. Incorporating road safety into year-round learning is essential, particularly within PSHE curricula for various age groups. This integration helps students develop a sense of personal and community responsibility. For example:

  • For younger students (e.g. Year 7), topics can include safe travel to and from school and the increased responsibility that comes with their transition to secondary school.
  • For older students, discussions may evolve to address peer influence, such as staying safe in cars driven by others and understanding the risks of reckless or impaired driving including being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Assemblies are also effective platforms for sharing updates on laws, local road changes, and impactful statistics that resonate with students and raise awareness. Inviting guest speakers, such as your local road traffic police team, to speak during assembly can be highly effective. This approach provides students with valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the issues related to dangerous driving and road crashes.

How can we support our students and their families with road safety?

Supporting students and their families with road safety goes beyond education—it’s about connecting them with the right resources, especially if they’ve been impacted by a road crash. Brake’s National Road Victim Service offers free, professional, trauma-informed support to road crash victims and their families, providing essential guidance and care during difficult times. You can find out more about it by clicking on this link.

Participating in Road Safety Week

Road Safety Week offers a range of activities to raise awareness and foster community involvement. Here are some impactful ways to participate:

Fundraising for Brake: Join Brake’s “5 Challenge for Road Safety” fundraiser, which supports these initiatives. Learn more here.

School Activities and Assemblies: Use assemblies, PSHE curriculum lessons, or form time to address road safety, building awareness across different year groups. Life Lessons has a 15-minute “In the News” lesson on road safety, ideal for sparking discussions on personal safety.

Student Involvement Projects: Encourage students to champion these messages. Older students can present to younger peers, and form groups can collaborate on posters or presentations to share across the school community, increasing awareness throughout the week.

By connecting families with support services and empowering students through active participation, we create a more informed and safety-conscious school environment year-round.

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