Road Safety

Have a Safe T.R.I.P. | Summer 2025

National Highways wants everyone to have a safe T.R.I.P. this summer. They remind us to complete the necessary vehicle checks before setting off and take time to plan rest stops, e.g., at service stations or at nearby cultural or heritage sites. Why not make the journey part of the adventure and ensure you are well rested.

So, remember T.R.I.P.:

T: Top-up fuel, check your oil and screen-wash, ensure you are charged

R: Rest every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes

I: Inspect your tyre tread and pressure

P: Prepare for the weather

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

Drink a Little, Risk a Lot | Summer 2025

The latest ‘THINK!’ campaign from the Department for Transport highlights the consequences of drink driving. They are challenging perceptions around personal limits by raising awareness that even a little bit of alcohol can put you and your licence at risk.

THINK! 0% is a new platform that encourages drivers to always opt for 0% over an alcoholic drink if they are getting behind the wheel. You can set new and safer habits without missing out on good times.

Don’t take the risk, THINK! 0%.

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

Know the HGV Zones | Summer 2025

National Highways reminds us to pass HGVs safely on motorways and A-roads.

HGVs have four zones of limited vision where drivers should not linger because they cannot be seen. Drivers often underestimate the size and positioning of these zones.

1. The Front Zone – When driving in front of a HGV ensure there is enough space between you and the HGV to allow them to see you and have enough room to brake safely
2. The Right Zone – Make sure that you have enough room ahead to overtake. It takes longer to pass a long vehicle so do not linger and ensure there is enough room to pull back in to where the driver can see you. 
3. The Rear Zone – If you are not able to see the HGV’s external mirrors or cameras, the driver cannot see you. Make yourself more visible by pulling back to where you can be seen. This could be up to three car lengths.
4. The Left Zone – The Highway Code advises not to undertake other vehicles. Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. However, if you do find yourself in the left lane with an HGV on your right, you should manoeuvre yourself out of the limited visibility zone safely, as the driver might not have seen you.  

So when you encounter a HGV on the motorway or an A-road, remember to:

• Stay Visible: Don’t linger in the four zones of limited vision
• Overtake with care: Ensure that you have enough space ahead to overtake before committing to the manoeuvre.
• Don’t tailgate: Getting too close behind large vehicles will mean you cannot see the road ahead and will also mean that you may be in the HGV driver’s zone of limited vision.

Be Predictable, Be Prepared, Look and Look Again and When in Doubt, Slow Down

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

Too Close for Comfort? Stay Safe, Stay Back | Summer 2025

National Highways reminds us of the consequences of tailgating and the importance of maintaining a safe following distance of at least two seconds. By doing this, you actively reduce the risk of collisions and ensure a more comfortable and secure experience for every driver, cyclist, and pedestrian using the road.  

Remember:

• Driving too close to the vehicle in front creates a sense of pressure for the other driver and evokes the same unsettling feelings as standing unnecessarily close to someone in everyday life. 
• To use the two-second rule, pick a fixed point ahead like a bridge or sign. When the vehicle in front passes it, count "one thousand one, one thousand two." If you reach that same point before you finish counting, you're too close – slow down to create more space.
• To double this gap in wet weather and increase it even more when it's icy for safe stopping. 

Make the Change: Two Seconds is all it takes

Please visit National Highways to find out more.

Calling All Key Stage One Staff in Sandwell Schools | 2025

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.

Help us to pilot this new exciting resource. For more information email Road_Safety@sandwell.gov.uk

Record, Report, Result! | West Midlands Police Operation Snap 2025

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.