There’s No Need To Speed: Road Safety Week 2020

Road Safety Week is the UK’s biggest road safety event involving thousands of schools, businesses, and community groups every year. The aim is to encourage everyone to come together and take action on road safety and promote life-saving messages.

It runs from 16th – 22nd November and the focus this year is on ‘No Need to Speed’.

Speed contributes to one in five fatal crashes in the UK. Too many times whilst travelling on the roads we see other road users break the speed limit or travel too fast for the conditions on the road.

It is a fact that the higher the speed, the longer the stopping distance, the more forceful the crash, and the greater the risk of death or injury. This year’s theme is a real reminder to all road users, that the speed they travel can and will affect other people.

According to statistics in 2016 81% of cars exceeded the speed limit on 20mph roads, 53% exceeded the limit on 30mph roads and 46% exceeded the limit on motorways. These figures emphasise the importance of why there is no need to speed.

Its’s a fact that ‘Speed can Kill’ and having worked as a paralegal within our Serious Injury Team for more than 20 years I have witnessed the devastating effect this has on people’s lives. I’ve also seen the life changing injuries it can cause as well, from brain injuries to loss of limbs.

This year’s Road Safety Week is about getting everyone to learn that there is No Need to Speed and find out just why speed matters for safe and healthy journeys.

Brake, the road safety charity supports people affected by road crashes and campaigns for safe and healthy mobility for all. Individuals, businesses, and schools can sign up for a free action pack on the website to help take part in this week’s Road Safety Week 2020. I encourage everyone to do this to support the campaign.

About the author

Laura is a Paralegal within our Serious Injury Team.

Laura, who joined the team in 1998, originally started as an office junior before training as a Litigator. After gaining extensive experience within personal injury, Laura now specialises in assisting on complex and high value personal injury claims. Over the years she has assisted senior Solicitors in dealing with accident claims involving amputations, serious spinal injuries resulting in permanent disability, brain, head injuries and fatal accidents.