Road Safety

International Walk to School Month | October 2025

October is International Walk to School Month, when children around the world are encouraged to walk, wheel or scoot to school by Living Streets. Regular movement is important for pupils’ health, and it can also boost confidence, happiness and connection with others.

So, why not celebrate the sights, sounds and smells of autumn and feel the benefits of walking and wheeling to school this October.

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

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

National Highways wants everyone to have a safe T.R.I.P. this autumn. As the weather becomes colder and more changeable, tyre safety becomes even more important. Autumn driving can be unpredictable, so it’s worth keeping a raincoat, some water, a torch, a blanket and a few snacks in the car.

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 and check your route before setting off

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

Tyre Safety Month | October 2025

October is Tyre Safety Month, where TyreSafe leads the UK’s largest tyre safety awareness campaign. This year’s theme is Under Pressure, which recognises that routine vehicle checks can easily be neglected. Yet something as basic as ignoring uninflated tyres can lead to life-threatening consequences.

So, remember A.C.T. – Check your tyres:

• Air Pressure – Too low = more fuel, poor handling. Too high = less grip, uneven wear. Check it monthly and before long journeys
• Condition – Look for cuts, bulges or objects stuck in the tread. Tyres must be free from visible damage or defects
• Tread – Minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm. Less tread = longer stopping distances, especially in the rain

Under Pressure? Don’t Let Tyres Be One of Them

Please visit TyreSafe to find out more about their campaign and view their Tyre Checks Guide.

WOW Top Ten Challenge | Summer 2025

Living Streets have published the results of their Summer 2025 WOW Top Ten Challenge and we are pleased to announce that two schools in Sandwell featured in the Midlands Top Ten Leaderboard.

Congratulations to Yew Tree Primary School and Langley Primary School.

Yew Tree Primary School also topped the Summer Leaderboard in the Midlands and also ranked 8th on the National Leaderboard.

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 reducing congestion and pollution.

Well done to everyone who took part!

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

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.