Road Safety

The Clocks Have Gone Back!

Motorists find it much more difficult to see pedestrians and cyclists at this time of year. So, remember to “Be Bright and Be Seen!”

Pedestrians – Wear reflective clothing, e.g., a hi-vis jacket or carry a bag with reflective strips. Even a small reflective accessory can make a big difference compared to dark jackets and coats. Always be aware of your surroundings, reduce your distractions, take out headphones and leave mobile phones switched off and out of sight.

Cyclists – Check your lights work and your reflectors are clean. Wear reflective clothing, e.g., a hi-vis jacket, and a correctly fitted cycle helmet.

Road Safety Week | Brake

Road Safety Week is the UK's biggest road safety event, coordinated annually by Brake, the road safety charity. The campaign takes place from 15th – 21st November 2026. This year’s theme is – Safe people on the move. Brake is encouraging schools, organisations and communities to sign up and get involved by downloading their action pack, full of ideas and activities.

Stay safe when we’re on the move. Every journey and every time.

Please visit Brake to find out more about their campaign.

Speed. Check It or Regret It. | THINK!

The latest ‘THINK!’ campaign from the Department for Transport reminds drivers of the risks of speeding, the serious consequences that can result from driving too fast and the importance of consciously choosing to travel at safer speeds.

Situational pressures, e.g., bad weather, tight bends, being in a rush or responding to other traffic can lead to drivers choosing to travel too fast for the conditions. Speeding can result in a fine, an arrest, a ban or worse.

Check your speed before a small decision becomes a big regret. THINK!

Please visit THINK! to find out more about their campaign.

New Rider Hub | The National Young Rider Forum (NYRF)

The National Young Rider Forum (NYRF) has relaunched its New Rider Hub website, providing a refreshed online resource designed to support young motorcyclists as a new generation of riders begin college courses, apprenticeships and new jobs.

Please visit New Rider Hub to find out more.

Have a Safe T.R.I.P. This Autumn | National Highways

As the weather becomes colder and more changeable, tyre safety becomes even more important. Taking a few minutes to check your tyre treads, pressure, age and condition could help to prevent an avoidable breakdown.

Remember T.R.I.P.:

T: Top-up fuel, battery charge, oil and screen wash before setting off

R: Rest by planning a break at least every 2 hours, for 15 minutes  

I: Inspect your tyres, including their pressure and tread depth (Replace your tyres if the tread is less than 1.6mm on a car / 1mm on a motorbike over 50cc)

P: Prepare for unpredictable autumn weather (It’s worth keeping a raincoat, some water, a torch, a blanket and a few snacks in the car)

Autumn Top Tips:

• Watch out for wet leaves – Fallen leaves can become slippery when wet, reducing grip in a similar way to other slippery road surfaces. Slow down and leave plenty of space. 
• Be prepared for low sun – The sun can be lower in the sky during autumn, creating glare and making it harder to see. Keep your windscreen clean and use your visor when needed. 
• Take care in fog – Fog can appear suddenly, particularly in the early morning. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance and use your lights appropriately. 
• Look out for changing daylight – As the days get shorter, you may find yourself driving in darker conditions more often. Make sure your lights, windscreen and mirrors are clean and your journey is planned. 

Staying Safe Around HGVs This Autumn:

• Stay visible – Rain, road spray, fog and lower light levels can reduce visibility. If you can’t see the HGV’s mirrors, the driver can’t see you. 
• Overtake with care – Wet roads and fallen leaves can reduce grip and increase stopping distances. Pass steadily and avoid sudden moves. 
• Signal early – Give clear warning of your intentions, particularly when visibility is reduced or conditions are wet. 
• Don’t tailgate – Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front. This gives you more time to react if conditions change or traffic slows suddenly. 
• Be patient – Autumn conditions can make it harder for HGVs to manoeuvre and stop safely. Don’t rush or force your way past an HGV. 

National Highways are also working with Logistics UK and the Road Haulage Association to spearhead an HGV industry-wide marketing campaign. The focus will be to make drivers on our roads aware of the 4 zones of limited vision around both heavy goods vehicles and coaches.

They are asking the industry to help them spread this messaging with the aim of reducing collisions and increasing the public's confidence when driving around large vehicles. If you own or manage a fleet of HGVs, 'register your interest' today.

Please visit National Highways to find out more about their campaigns.

Driving Test Booking Rules Update and Ready to Pass | DVSA

From Spring 2026, the rules for booking and managing car driving tests will change. The new rules will mean that, as a learner driver:

If you need to make more changes after you have used your 2 changes, you will have to cancel your test and book a new one.

Car and motorcycle theory tests include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) questions to boost cardiac arrest survival. This means that hundreds of thousands of people annually will now gain knowledge of life-saving skills through the enhanced questions.

Please visit DVSA to find out more about the changes and their Ready to Pass campaign.

Taxing Your Vehicle on Time 'Nobody Wins' | DVLA

The latest DVLA campaign reminds us of the importance of taxing our vehicles on time. It is led by ‘Clampy’, a down-on-his-luck talking wheel clamp, which focus on the disruption and consequences felt by drivers who have their vehicle clamped for failing to tax it. The DVLA remind motorists when their vehicle tax is due and only clamp untaxed vehicles as a last resort.

Remember:

It’s quick and easy to tax your vehicle online, so don’t take the risk.

• You can tax your vehicle at any time using DVLA’s online service or by calling 0300 123 4321 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• You can choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email through DVLA’s Driver and vehicles account.
• You can pay by Direct Debit, which helps make sure you stay on top of renewals and lets you spread the cost if you want to.

Please visit DVLA to find out more.

Digital Road Safety

Digital Road Safety is still available completely free of charge for all Sandwell schools. Research shows that children learn road safety best by being immersed in the environment.

Following recognised pedestrian training techniques, children view the roadside from the unique viewpoint of the pedestrian and by looking right and left they are in a tangible situation.

Visit Digital Road Safety and get started!

Coming soon! 

A new app-based version with new content for KS1 and Year 6. Why not contact us if you would like to be one of the first to get involved.

Record, Report, Result! Operation Snap | West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police want to make sure our roads are as safe as possible for all users, and they need your help with Operation Snap.

Did you know you can now send footage of dangerous drivers to West Midlands Police, so that action can be taken?

Each piece of footage, whether recorded on a dashcam, CCTV or a mobile phone held by a passenger, is reviewed by specially trained staff. If an offence is identified, the driver can be prosecuted or told to take a driver improvement course.

Offences might include:

• dangerous driving
• using a mobile phone while driving
• not wearing a seatbelt
• failing to stop at a red traffic light
• using a trailer in lane three of a motorway
• crossing solid white lines
• other offences where a driver is clearly not in proper control of a vehicle

Thousands of people have already sent in dashcam, helmet cam and mobile footage showing careless and reckless driving that puts lives at risk.

Four in five reports sent in by the public have resulted in a positive outcome, including warning letters, education courses, fixed penalties and prosecution.

Reports must be submitted within 10 days of the alleged offence and footage should include the whole incident (and, wherever possible, one minute prior to and after the offence).

Along with the footage, submissions need to include details about the date, time and location of the incident, and the registration, make and colour of the vehicle.

If you are reporting an incident that involves a collision, please do not use this service. Instead, please call West Midlands Police on 101, select option 1 and provide details within 24 hours of the collision taking place.

Submit your footage here.