Brake News

Campaigning Research: Tackling seat belt non-use Research undertaken by Brake found that half of drivers aged 18-24 admitted to being in a car with someone not belted up in the past year. These findings came from a survey of 2,000 drivers, commissioned by Brake and launched on the anniversary of seat belt-wearing first being made mandatory in the UK, 36 years ago. To tackle this concerning issue we are calling on the government to target safety campaigns at the younger generations to make sure they hear loud and clear that seat belts save lives, and reminding everyone to buckle up before they set off. Learn more: Visit our website here. Research: Report on life-saving vehicle technology Brake has launched a report on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to coincide with new European legislation that mandates the introduction of life-saving technology on all new vehicles, estimated to prevent 25,000 road deaths between 2022 and 2037. The top finding of the report, produced with Direct Line, was that drivers want UK car standards to remain at least as high as those across the EU post-Brexit but don’t want to have to pay for it themselves. We are using the findings to lobby UK MEPs to support the full proposals and ensure this life-saving vehicle technology is fitted as standard. Learn more: Read the Brake and Direct Line report here. Statistics: Drink-driving related deaths reach record high The Department for Transport released its provisional estimates for reported road casualties involving illegal alcohol levels for 2017 this month. Worryingly, there has been an estimated increase in the number of people killed in crashes where one driver was over the drink-drive limit, reaching a central estimate of 290, up from 230 in 2016, the highest level since 2009. On a more positive note, the number of total crashes involving a drink driver is estimated to have fallen by 6% to 5,730, down from 6,070 in 2016. In light of these figures we have again called on the government to implement an effective zero-tolerance drink-drive limit, to end the confusing messaging that our current limit gives and make it clear to drivers that not a drop of alcohol is safe. Find out more: Read the full story on the Brake website. Fundraising Campaign: On your marks, get set, Brake! #BakeforBrake is back. It's time to don your aprons and get mixing. Throughout February we’ve been searching for offices, schools and individuals to hold a Bake for Brake fundraiser. A big thank you to everyone who has already signed up. Get involved: Visit the Brake website to sign up for your free fundraising pack. We’re also running a baking competition for anyone who wants to get involved — send us photos of your fantastic bakes by 4 March to have the opportunity to win a beautiful baking hamper. Event: Parachute party Saturday 1 June 2019 Ipsden, Oxfordshire Brake is looking for 20 adventurous volunteers to join our annual skydiving challenge — the Parachute Party 2019. This is a time-honoured fundraising challenge and often at the top of most people’s bucket lists, so why not do it for Brake? If you raise £400 in sponsorship you can jump for free. Get involved: Email fundraise@brake.org.uk to sign up and find out more about how you can fundraise for Brake. Community engagement Event: Road Safety Week 2018 An estimated 2.1 million people got involved with UK Road Safety Week in November 2018 – helping to raise awareness about the need for us all to be Bike Smart. A massive thank you to all the organisations and individuals who ran activities throughout Road Safety Week. Learn more: Your stories and photos are now available on the Road Safety Week website. Get involved: Don’t forget to register for Road Safety Week 2019 and be the first to hear about the 2019 theme. Event: Beep Beep! Day Wednesday 20 March Our first Beep Beep! Day of 2019 is just three weeks away. Schools, nurseries and playgroups can get 2-7 year olds involved with our free resources to help them understand road safety basics. A big thank you to Churchill for their sponsorship of the project for the 15th year! Register now: Click here to register for your free e-pack and find out more about our low-cost resources to help you run your day. Event: Kids Walk 2019 Wednesday 26 June We are pleased to announce this year's Brake’s Kids Walk sponsor is the Ocado Foundation. On Wednesday 26 June, thousands of children aged 4-11 from across the country will put their best feet forward to promote road safety in their community. This project aims to inspire and engage children about the dangers they face and help Brake call on grown-ups to make their streets safer. Sign up: To get your free action pack including stickers, certificates, posters, lesson plans and other activities. Victim support Brake Family Liaison Officer Awards Brake’s Family Liaison Officer (FLO) Awards have returned for 2019 and are now open for entries. These awards celebrate the support and work of Police Family Liaison Officers, following a road death or serious injury. The 2019 awards have three categories open for nominations: the Family Award, open for families to nominate the FLO who supported them; the Outstanding Officer Achievement Award; and the newly-introduced Award for Excellent Longstanding Service, for Police staff to recognise the achievements of a colleague. Nominations for all three awards close on Friday 15 March 2019. Click here: Visit the Brake website to download our entry forms and find out more. Fleet news Brake launches Global Fleet Champions Fleet operators around the world are being asked to join a new global campaign to help tackle the rising epidemic of road deaths, injuries and poisonous air from vehicles. Global Fleet Champions is a not-for-profit, partnership campaign that everyone can join to prevent crashes and pollution caused by vehicles used for work purposes. Global Fleet Champions calls on all organisations that use vehicles for work purposes to prioritise safety and sustainability, through good leadership and by adopting robust policies and procedures to manage driver behaviour, vehicle standards and journey routing. The campaign also calls on governments to regulate and enforce the safe, sustainable operation of vehicles that move goods and people, through licensing and traffic rules, road policing and tougher penalties. The campaign is free to join and replaces the existing Brake Professional membership service overseen by Brake. Learn more: Visit the new Global Fleet Champions website.