18 Nov 2019
Supporting Road Safety Week
Today marks the beginning of Road Safety Week - the UK’s biggest road safety event coordinated annually by Brake, the road safety charity. This year’s theme is ‘Step up for Safe Streets’, aiming to inspire thousands of schools, organisations and communities to take action and promote life-saving messages.
In support of the charity, we’re taking a closer look at how safety on the road can be improved for all - whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist or driver.
Alarming road traffic accident statistics
The statistics surrounding accidents on the road are shocking:
- Every 24 seconds someone is killed on a road
- More than 1.3 million people die on the world’s roads every year
- Road crashes are the leading cause of death for young people aged 5 - 29
Although these statistics are alarming, there are many steps individuals can take to improve their safety, as well as the safety of others on the road.
Steps to improve road safety
According to the Department for Transport, there were 1,784 reported road deaths in 2018, however, there are many steps drivers can take to improve safety for themselves and others on the road. For example, if the roads are icy or a thick fog has developed, it’s important to adjust speed accordingly. In fact, lowering your speed to 20mph, where appropriate, creates a safer road environment and significantly reduces casualties if an accident were to occur, especially for those on foot or bicycle.
As a pedestrian, it’s important to use dedicated pedestrian crossings, to put phones away when crossing a road and to carry something fluorescent for better visibility. Similarly, cyclists should also wear fluorescent clothing to be more visible to road users while also wearing appropriate protective gear such as a helmet.
How Speed Medical can help with RTA claims
Since our inception in 1998, Speed Medical has put your client’s unique needs at the heart of all we do. Compassion, expertise and intricate attention to detail goes into every medical report we produce - ensuring your client receives the vital treatment they need, when they need it and at a location that’s most convenient for them.
Our Expert Panel is made up of 5,000 medical professionals, all passionate about helping your client achieve optimum recovery. As our service offering doesn’t end at medical reporting, we’re also proud to offer comprehensive Rehabilitation and Further Treatment services. For example, this could include driving lessons to help your client gain back confidence on the road, or skin camouflage to conceal the physical effects of an accident and improve self-esteem.
If you’d like to get involved with Road Safety Week, get involved by following this link. Or, to learn more about everything we do here at Speed Medical, please click here.
