Driver Hire, the leading transport & logistics recruitment franchise, is supporting Road Safety Week (November 18^th – 24^th). All its 100 offices nationwide are being encouraged to share the message on cutting deaths and injuries on UK roads, making them safer for everyone.

Organised by Brake, the national road safety charity, the aim of Road Safety Week is to raise awareness of road safety issues. Whilst still having some of the safest roads in Europe, the number of deaths and injuries has not reduced significantly over the past decade. The most recent Department for Transport (DfT) figures (to June 2017) show that there were 1,793 fatal accidents that year, a figure that has been largely static since 2012.

The theme for this year’s Road Safety Week is ‘Step up for safe streets’. It highlights the need for new thinking on how we all get around and an increase in active mobility – walking and cycling. 

“Whether it’s marketing our services, improving industry knowledge, or in this case, something more community-led, network-wide campaigns such as these are another important benefit of being a franchisee,” says Chris Chidley, Driver Hire’s Chief Executive.

“And this is a great message. Getting more people walking or on two wheels helps the environment. It reduces congestion, makes our streets safer and life easier for those who need to drive, such as the delivery drivers we all rely on and are frequently working to tight deadlines. Of course, it’s important for all road-users to look out for each other, walkers, cyclists, bikers and, of course, other drivers, not just during Road Safety Week, but 365 days a year.”

Thirteen year-old Dan Naylor, who lives in Bradford was knocked over on a local street whilst out playing with his friends. He sustained a broken arm and a broken collarbone in the incident. “I looked but I didn’t see the vehicle,” says Dan. “Afterwards I suffered from shock and it really knocked my confidence crossing roads. I think there should be more safe crossing points for pedestrians.”

Dan is also a keen cyclist and enjoys riding with his mates. Fortunately his accident hasn’t put him off. “We use local cycle paths away from traffic and do some of the local trails through the woods. But we still have to ride on the road to get to where we want to be. Motorists can be a bit impatient sometimes, so more bike lanes would make streets safer for cyclists.”