Call to arms: do your bit to reduce strain on the NHS
24 March 2020
Road Safety GB is encouraging all road users to do their bit to reduce the strain on the emergency services in the coming weeks and months, by taking extra care every time they travel.
The pressure being placed on the NHS by the escalating situation with regard to coronavirus is well known – and the situation is likely to get much worse in the coming weeks and months. With that in mind, Road Safety GB has launched a new campaign, stressing to all road users the importance of taking extra care while on the roads.
Statistics show 160,597 people were killed or injured on Great Britain’s roads in 2019 – an average of 440 people each day. In all of these cases, the police would have attended – due to the nature of the Government’s casualty reporting system – while a significant proportion would have required the care of paramedics. An average of 70 people per day were seriously injured (25,511) in 2019 – all of whom would have required hospital treatment.
To reduce the number of road casualties during these unprecedented times, Road Safety GB is urging all road users to do everything they can to avoid collisions and casualties – and is asking drivers and other vehicle occupants to take extra care and:
• Always drive at an appropriate speed
• Always wear a seatbelt
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Never use a mobile phone behind the wheel
Alan Kennedy, executive director of Road Safety GB, said: “These are unprecedented times and society as a whole has a responsibility to ease the strain currently being placed on the NHS – and all emergency services. Whether you are a driver, rider, cyclist or pedestrian – we can all play our part over the coming months by only travelling when necessary, and taking extra care on every journey. Our key message – as is always the case – reduce speeds, wear a seatbelt, drive sober and alert, and stop your vehicle to use a mobile phone.”
We wish you and your loved ones the best in these uncertain and difficult times.