Five Ways To Improve Road Safety

Improving road safety in the UK is just as important now as ever.

According to the road safety charity, Brake, more than 1,700 people die on UK roads every year, and another 30,000 receive serious, life-changing injuries.

These statistics are a devastating read and emphasise the importance of taking precautions to prevent road traffic accidents; not only to save lives, but to keep communities protected and produce safer environments.

Working towards this goal is a combined effort between councils, businesses, contractors, private landowners and the public, and so our expert team has compiled a list of five ways to improve road safety in the UK.

1. Promote road safety education and awareness

As well as putting physical measures in place, improving road safety can also be achieved through changed behaviour.

Road casualties can occur anywhere (such as in rural and urban environments) and to anyone (drivers, cyclists and pedestrians). Educating all road users on their shared responsibility can help raise awareness, encourage more cautious behaviour, help people to take notice, and respect the safety measures that are already in place.

Methods of promoting road safety awareness can include:

• Workplace road safety training for fleet drivers and site staff
• Local campaigns that reinforce good habits, and that are supported by road safety organisations
• Clear, visible signage and visual cues that deliver critical safety messaging
• Using traffic safety products as a tool to support understanding. As an example of this, in 2020, we carried out one of our most memorable projects at St Richard’s Primary School in Richmond South West London. The school wanted to improve the teaching of road safety to their pupils and so we installed a mini pedestrian crossing in the playground. Not only does this improve the teaching of road safety, it also prepares the children for independent travel with a true-to-life crossing

2. Improve road signage and visibility

Conveying important messaging quickly and effectively is essential to keeping road users informed.

Review the road signage in your area to ensure there is clear, well-maintained messaging. This provides drivers with plenty of reaction time, allowing them to adjust their speed or position in accordance with the road’s specific requirements.

Even if you have clear messaging in place, is it visible? In the UK, our weather can be extremely temperamental, so traffic safety products with reflective materials and illuminating sign lighting are crucial in poor conditions such as rain, fog and during those shorter winter days.

3. Slow traffic in high-risk areas

Take steps to slow down traffic for areas that are frequented more by pedestrians and others at risk.

• Put speed reduction systems in place near residential streets, worksites and schools. School patrol warning lights are an effective way of reminding drivers that they are entering an area that is busy with children and pedestrians
• Physical traffic-calming measures – such as speed bumps, road safety bollards and road narrowing systems – will slow traffic down naturally
• Use visual cues – such as bright markings and warning signs – to encourage safer speeds

By focusing on prevention rather than cure with a reduction in speed, high-risk areas are more likely to see fewer severe injuries.

4. Protect vulnerable road users

Pedestrians, cyclists, road workers and children are deemed to be the most at-risk groups of road users, and it is essential that we take steps to protect the most vulnerable in society. Ways to do this include:

• Installing effective pedestrian crossings that are highly visible to all road users, both day and night
• Introducing clearer lane separations, as well as visible warnings
• Putting temporary safety equipment in place during construction periods or when events are taking place

5. Maintain roads and safety equipment

Whilst it may sound obvious, one effective way of improving road safety is by conducting regular reviews of the current measures you have in place to identify any damage or failures in visibility. Look out for the following, all of which undermine safety:

• Faded markings
• Damaged barriers
• Broken signs
• Obscured messaging

Not only do regular inspections help to prevent road traffic accidents, but early identification means a quicker solution, reducing long-term costs.

Improve road safety in your area

Improving road safety is a combined effort between councils, businesses, contractors, private landowners and the public. We all share responsibility, and by putting the right safety measures in place, lives can be saved, communities will be protected and this will lead to safer environments.

At Simmonsigns, we are committed to making a difference and helping drivers, pedestrians and other road users stay safe. For over 40 years, we have been designing and manufacturing high quality traffic safety products in the UK and we set the standard for durable, effective solutions.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help improve road safety in your area, if you’d like a review of your current safety set-up, or if you’d just like some advice, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team.

Let’s work together to improve road safety in the UK.