Brake News

Last call: Fleet safety survey entries  Do you represent an organisation that has employees who drive for work? Help us to make our roads safer by taking part in our annual fleet safety survey, kindly sponsored by Licence Bureau Ltd. This year's focus is on organisations’ policies and procedures for protecting vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists Campaigning Initiatives: Vision pilot This month we are teaming up with police forces in Thames Valley, Hampshire and West Midlands to run a campaign on driver vision. Anyone stopped by Roads Policing Officers in these areas will be required to take the 20m number plate test, with those who fail having their licence immediately revoked, through the use of Cassie’s Law. The aim of the pilot, alongside removing drivers with defective eyesight from our roads, is to collect data to gain an improved understanding of the extent of poor driver eyesight on our roads, which is thought to be vastly underreported in Government statistics. The pilot is part of our wider campaign calling for mandatory eye tests for drivers and raising awareness about the importance of good vision for driving. The launch was widely covered in the national media, with a Brake spokesperson appearing on Sky News, BBC News, ITV news and Radio 2 with Jeremy Vine. Learn more: Read the full press release here. Policy: Roads to Justice campaign This month we launched our Roads to Justice campaign calling for a wider review of road traffic offences. Deaths and serious injuries on our roads cause terrible suffering every day. Tragically, this suffering is often compounded by a flawed legal framework which lets serious offenders get away with pitiful penalties and allows dangerous drivers to get back behind the wheel. #RoadsToJustice seeks to right these wrongs with three clear campaign calls: 1. Simplify and improve the legal definitions of unsafe driving behaviour. 2. Increase the use of driving disqualifications and close the “exceptional hardship” loophole. 3. Increase the current six month maximum prison sentence for failing to stop after a crash. In August, the Government launched a consultation into new cycling offences. We want to use this opportunity to show how many people want a fundamental overhaul of road traffic offences so that just and safe outcomes are delivered. We are encouraging our supporters to write to their MPs asking them to support our calls for a wider review. Get involved: Use our handy guide to write to your MP. Learn more: Visit our website to find out more about the Roads to Justice campaign. Community engagement Event: Road Safety Week 2018 19–25 November 2018 Bike Smart is the message at the heart of this year’s Road Safety Week, sponsored by Devitt and Ford. Those on two wheels are among the most vulnerable road users in the UK; more than a third of people killed or seriously injured on UK roads are bicycle or motorcycle riders. Brake’s week-long campaign will raise awareness about the importance of implementing a safe systems approach, mandating life-saving technology and prioritising cycle-friendly infrastructure, as well as promoting safe driving and riding behaviours. Registered events will be recorded on our interactive map. Calling all bloggers: We are looking for bloggers to write about their local road safety week events. If you’re interested please get in touch by emailing roadsafetyweek@brake.org.uk! To register: Click here to sign up for Road Safety Week 2018. Event: Beep Beep! Day Wednesday 21 November Every year thousands of tots and children aged 2-7 take part in special Beep Beep! Days organised by their school, nursery, playgroup or childminder, to help save little lives. It’s a great way to help children understand road safety basics through fun activities, while promoting awareness among parents and the wider community of the importance of protecting children on the roads. Our final Beep Beep! Day for 2018 is on Wednesday 21 November, during Road Safety Week. Register now: Click here to register and find out more about our new free and low-cost resources to help you run your day. Fundraising Event: The Brake Ball Saturday 24 November 2018, Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Lincoln Join us at Brake’s first ever charity ball for an unforgettable evening of fun, food and fundraising. This glittering black-tie event will take place in Lincoln at the end of Road Safety Week 2018. Bring your friends, family, colleagues, partners and clients. Tickets cost just £40 per person, or £375 for a table of 10. Book your place: Visit our website to book your place. Event: Take part in one of our latest adrenaline-fuelled challenges Want to raise money to help Brake support people bereaved in road crashes and campaign for safer roads? Sign up for one of our fabulous fundraising activities. Abseil Saturday 3 November 2018, Manchester Get a new perspective on an iconic cycling venue when abseil a thrilling 130ft down the centre of the Manchester Velodrome. A must for all cycling fans. Minimum sponsorship £100. Registration fee £30. 3, 2, 1… Bungee! Saturday 20 October, Glasgow Calling all thrill-seekers. Sign up for Brake’s bungee jump at the Riverside Museum, Glasgow. You’ll have a fabulous day, while raising money to save lives on our roads. Minimum sponsorship £150. Registration fee £30. Join us: Visit our website or email fundraise@brake.org.uk to find out more. Fleet safety Event: Fleet Safety Awards 2018  Thursday 11 October, Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Birmingham The prestigious Fleet Safety Awards recognise the achievements of those working to reduce the number of crashes involving at-work drivers. The awards bring together fleet operators and suppliers to celebrate and share best practice in managing road risk. We have received an overwhelming number of entries for the 2018 awards and would like to invite you to join us to celebrate their achievements this year.  Learn more: Click here to see the full shortlist and buy tickets for the awards ceremony. Corporate news Event: Calling all superheroes Dress as your favourite superhero and run a Road Safety Superhero day in your office! Team up with our Pledge Squad and dress as your favourite superhero to help spread the message of safe driving across the globe, while raising funds for Brake. Whether you put on a character t-shirt or a full costume, with your support, we can create a world of zero deaths or serious injuries on our roads. Capes at the ready… Get involved: Run a Road Safety Superhero day at any time, or take part in our national Road Safety Superhero Day on Friday 23rd November. Visit our website to find out more and register for your free action pack. Event: Road Safety Week banners A Road Safety Week banner is an excellent way to display your support for Brake and show people in your community that you are getting involved in our annual week-long campaign for road safety. This year there are five designs to choose from, any of which can be printed with your organisation’s logo. Banners measure 5 x 1m and cost £475 + VAT (or £275 + VAT for non-profit organisations). Price includes design, print and delivery. Order now: Email smhatfield@brake.org.uk to order your banner.