Leading recruitment franchise, Driver Hire, is playing its part in preventing deaths and injuries on UK roads by supporting this year’s ‘Road Safety Week’ (19^th-25^thNovember). Organised by Brake, the national road safety charity, the theme for 2023 is ‘Speed’.

Figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) show that in 2022, 1695 people died in road traffic accidents on UK roads. Males represented 75% of deaths with the 30-49 age group heading the league table. Worryingly, Criminal Justice statistics show that in 2022 a record 245,000 people appeared in court accused of speeding offences. 

“Speed kills” is a well recognised road safety slogan. But it is true. Slowing down by just one mile an hour can make the difference between life and death. Information provided by Brake for its ‘Road Safety Week’ campaign shows that a crash at 30mph has twice the destructive potential of a crash at 20mph. A pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at 30mph has a one in five chance of being killed. 

Commenting on the figures and Driver Hire’s plans for Road Safety Week 2023, Richard Owen-Hughes, Driver Hire’s Marketing Director said: “As one of the leading suppliers of temporary drivers to the road transport and logistics industry we’ve around 2,500 drivers out on the road every day. Clearly, we want to ensure their safety and the safety of all other road-users. That’s why we’ve been a keen supporter of Road Safety Week for over 20 years.”

“This year we’re highlighting the importance of sticking to national speed limits and driving at a speed that reflects road conditions. In fact, we’re running a free webinar during Road Safety Week on the topic of speeding. A recent study by Travis Perkins, the building materials supplier, shows that stress, attention lapses and distractions are all major causes of road traffic accidents. Safer speeds means fewer crashes and less impact if you are involved in an accident, helping prevent death and injuries on our roads. Lower speeds will also encourage more people to walk or cycle, reducing traffic volumes.”