Road Safety Week: Why road safety must start with prevention and end with compassion
Every year, thousands of people are killed or seriously injured on UK roads. Behind these statistics are families and communities devastated by preventable tragedies.
This year, Road Safety Week (16-22 November), organised by the charity Brake, highlights a critical truth: safe vehicles save lives. While technology and maintenance can prevent crashes, we must also recognise the human cost when prevention fails - and ensure victims receive the support they need.
The case for safer vehicles
Safe vehicles serve as a cornerstone of road safety. Contemporary advancements - such as automated emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, and intelligent speed adaptation - are substantiated by evidence demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing collisions and mitigating injury severity.
These technologies, alongside fundamental features like seatbelts and airbags, represent critical innovations that ought to be standard equipment in all vehicles.
Although vehicle technology has the potential to enhance road safety significantly, this is contingent upon proper usage; a notable disparity persists between technological promise and real-world outcomes.
Modern vehicles are packed with systems designed to either avoid a crash or reduce its severity. AEB, for instance, can prevent low-speed impacts entirely when functioning properly. Lane assist and blind spot monitoring are especially effective on motorways. Black box insurance, popular among younger drivers, has improved speed compliance and reduced high-risk behaviour within this demographic.
Nonetheless, adoption and comprehension of these technologies remain inconsistent. Many motorists disable lane-keeping functions or misinterpret system alerts. Usage rates tend to be lower among older drivers, and some users opt to override features they perceive as intrusive.
Socio-economic factors also play a substantial role. The most advanced safety technologies are frequently available only in newer or high-end vehicles, leaving drivers of second-hand or older models without access to such features. For them, road safety is still a matter of vigilance and luck.
Still, the trajectory is positive. As safety systems become increasingly standard - and better integrated into everyday driving - risk should gradually decline. The key, as ever, lies in human behaviour: technology can assist, but it can’t override poor judgement.
In addition to effective use of technology, vehicles must be roadworthy every time they go on the road. Simple checks such as tyres, brakes, lights, can make the difference between a safe journey and a catastrophic crash. Stronger regulation and consistent maintenance practices are essential to ensure every vehicle meets safety standards.
No amount of legislation or technology can substitute for attention, caution, and good judgement in real time.
UK road safety context
Despite progress, the numbers remain sobering. In 2024, more than 1,600 people lost their lives on British roads, and more than 27,000 were seriously injured - virtually unchanged from the previous year. These figures underscore why campaigns like Road Safety Week matter: risk isn’t disappearing - it’s evolving, and progress may be real, but it's uneven and fragile.
The government’s 2025 Road Safety Strategy signals renewed determination to tackle persistent causes of preventable deaths. Proposed measures include mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70, a lower drink-drive limit, and stricter enforcement of seatbelt compliance.
Alongside these behavioural changes, new vehicle safety laws mandate advanced driver assistance systems - such as AEB and intelligent speed assistance (ISA) - in all new vehicles from April 2025.
A shared responsibility
Road safety isn't a matter of chance; it's a matter of choice. Manufacturers, employers, policymakers, and individuals all have a role to play - whether by investing in safe vehicles, campaigning for stronger regulations, or simply committing to regular vehicle checks.
If you’re a policy maker, the story is one based on statistical improvement. If you’re a parent, a pedestrian, or someone who travels on two wheels, the question might sound different: are the roads and our vehicles safe?
Protection of vulnerable road users
Road safety encompasses not only vehicle occupants but also extends to safeguarding vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
These individuals face an elevated risk of serious injury or fatality during collisions, especially where vehicles lack sufficient protective features or drivers don't exercise appropriate caution.
The implementation of measures such as enhanced vehicle design for pedestrian impact mitigation, dedicated cycling infrastructure, and advanced driver assistance systems that identify and respond to pedestrians and cyclists is crucial.
It's recommended that all vehicles be equipped with technologies such as blind-spot detection and AEB to minimise risks for these particularly vulnerable groups.
Supporting victim when prevention fails
Despite advancements in vehicle safety, collisions continue to occur, and the consequences can be devastating.
Through my work I see daily how it’s not just road users affected by collisions but also loved ones. They can be left to face severe physical injuries, psychological trauma and complex legal and financial challenges. Nothing can ever make up for what those who have suffered serious life-changing injuries or the death of a relative have been through, but it’s vital that they receive specialist rehab or support to try and rebuild their lives.
We must stand with those whose lives have been shattered by unsafe vehicles, ensuring they are treated with dignity, ensuring their access to appropriate resources and services.
Call to action
This Road Safety Week, let’s embrace a dual commitment: prevent crashes through safer vehicles and protect victims when prevention falls short.
By combining innovation with compassion, we can move closer to a future where road deaths and serious injuries are eliminated.
Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting victims and families affected by road collisions at our dedicated road traffic collision section.
Visit the Brake website for more on Road Safety Week.
