Nearly a third of adults have been in a collision or near miss on the road in the past year.
Brake published this research at the start of Road Safety Week to highlight the level of danger felt on UK roads and to encourage people to ‘Step Up for Safe Streets’.
Brake’s survey of 2,000 people highlights the high numbers of the population who have experienced danger on the roads first-hand, with one in three of the adults surveyed, a UK total of more than 15 million people, experiencing a collision or near miss with a vehicle on a UK road in the past year. This proportion rises to more than half when just young adults (18-34-year-olds) are concerned.
Brake delivers support to road crash victims and knows the devastation that these incidents cause to families every day – on average, there is a death or serious injury on a UK road every 20 minutes. The charity believes that every road death and serious injury is preventable and is urging everyone to think about how they can Step Up for Safe Streets for Road Safety Week, and is sharing inspiring stories of supporters who are campaigning to reduce the danger on roads, to help inspire others.
Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, the road safety charity, said: “These findings paint an alarming picture of the danger on our roads and yet it’s what we’re all exposed to, every day, when getting about. We shouldn’t have to accept this level of risk as part of our daily lives and so we are calling on everyone to ‘Step Up’ for Road Safety Week and shout out for the solutions that we know can make our roads safe.
“Across the country, people are working tirelessly to campaign for safe streets, organising petitions, meeting with MPs and councillors and raising money and awareness. We want everyone to think about how they can do their bit and step up for safe streets. Can you join or start a local campaign? Do you need to take the car on your next journey, or could you walk, cycle or get the bus? If you are travelling by car, will you pledge to always keep within speed limits and never drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs? Let’s all Step Up for Safe Streets and, together, we can help make roads safer for everyone.”
