Road Safety

Safer 6 2026 | 8th June – 19th July

Sandwell’s Safer 6 is an annual six-week campaign across our six towns run by council services and external partners to address concerns, provide information and promote services to help people in Sandwell stay safe and healthy.

Six Weeks. Six Towns. One Safer Sandwell. 

Please visit Safer 6 to find out what's on in your neighbourhood.

Become a Cycling Instructor | Bikeability

Are you a confident cyclist who loves to be outdoors and work with people?

8th – 14th June is National Bike Week, so it is the perfect time to apply to become a cycling instructor. No two days in this role are the same, but it is always rewarding.

Bikeability is the Department for Transport’s flagship national cycle training programme and their instructors have lots of fun, while also leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those they train, as cycling is a skill for life.

You will gain a nationally recognised qualification and help children and adults in the West Midlands to cycle confidently and competently, giving them the tools to travel in a way that is healthy, sustainable and cost-effective.

Please visit Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to find out more.

Big Matches. Big Moments. Zero Alcohol Behind the Wheel | THINK!

The latest ‘THINK!’ campaign from the Department for Transport highlights the consequences of drink driving. Big sporting moments like the World Cup bring people together: bigger crowds, longer nights, and more social drinking.

THINK! are encouraging drivers to choose 0% if they are getting behind the wheel, or plan another way home, so that we can stay safe while enjoying matchday moments.

Driving? It’s best to have none for the road. THINK! 0%

Please visit THINK! 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.

Travelling in Extreme Heat and Have a Safe T.R.I.P. | National Highways

During warmer weather, you may be going on holiday, having a day out, or visiting friends and family. You may also be travelling on roads that you’re unfamiliar with. Whatever you’re looking to do, National Highways want you to do it safely.

Remember, before you travel:

• Make sure your vehicle is fit for the journey and carry out vehicle checks
• Check the weather forecast for your route and destination
• If hot weather is forecast, take plenty of drinking water for you and your passengers
• Allow plenty of time for your journey, including regular breaks
• Check travel conditions before setting out and, where it's safe to do so, during the journey

During periods of extreme hot weather, adjust your travel to avoid the hottest days and times of day if you can, and pack essential items before setting off, e.g., drinking water, snacks that won’t be affected by the heat, a fully charged mobile phone and a charger, a hat, sunglasses, sun block and any emergency medication you may need.

They also want everyone to be safe on the roads this spring. With the number of breakdowns on motorways and major A roads continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever to carry out your Safe T.R.I.P. Checks before setting off. Spring weather conditions can still be unpredictable, e.g., rain, snow and ice, and even sunny journeys need preparation. Taking a few minutes to prepare before you set off can help prevent breakdowns, reduce disruption and keep everyone moving safely this spring.

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 lights, tyre tread and pressure (Replace your tyres if the tread is less than 1.6mm)

P: Prepare for the weather and check your route before setting off

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

Taxing Your Vehicle on Time 'Nobody Wins' | DVLA

The latest DVLA campaign reminds us of the importance of taxing your 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.

Spring Term Update | Bikeability

Bikeability have announced the results of their latest prize draw. The winner received a £300 Amazon voucher in total for taking part in Bikeability training in Feburary.

Congratulations Grace Mary Primary School!

Well done to Lyng Primary School, Ocker Hill Academy, Shireland Hall Primary Academy, St Margaret’s C of E Primary School and Summerhill Primary Academy, as they achieved 80% and above attendance and were entered into the £250 draw.

Well done to Al Khair School, Grace Mary Primary School, Ocker Hill Academy, Old Park Primary School, Ryders Green Primary School, Shireland Hall Primary Academy, St Mary Magdalene C of E Voluntary Controlled Primary School and Summerhill Primary Academy, as they achieved 95% and above attendance, automatically received a £50 voucher and were entered into the £250 draw.

Please visit Bikeability to find out more about their training programme.

Spring Term Update | Living Streets

Well done to all the schools who took part in Living Streets’ Spring 2026 WOW Top Ten Challenge!

This challenge enables schools to compete regionally and nationally with the aim of topping the WOW Top Ten Leaderboards. It boosts engagement and increases walking rates to support pupils’ health and wellbeing while helping to reduce congestion and pollution.

Devonshire Infant Academy, Devonshire Junior Academy, Hargate Primary School, Harvills Hawthorn Primary School and Temple Meadow Primary School are the latest schools to join the Living Streets programme.

Please visit Living Streets to find out more about their campaigns.

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.

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

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.