The UK has one of the best road safety records in the world. But, despite that, five people still die every day of the year on UK roads in road traffic incidents. That’s over 1,500 families who have lost a loved one.
The 2025 figures published by the Department for Transport (DfT) show that nearly a third of those fatalities were people who were driving for work. That makes road safety a particularly pertinent issue for everyone working in road transport and logistics.
The message works both ways. DfT statistics also show that over 1,100 pedestrians were killed or seriously injured in road traffic incidents by vehicles being driven for work. Vans accounted for 30% of injury collisions, HGVs 10%. An interesting footnote from the DfT statistics shows you’re much more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident on rural and ‘A’ roads than on a motorway.
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of Brake – the road safety charity, the message on road safety is having a positive effect. Whilst UK roads continue to get busier, KSI (killed or seriously injured) numbers have fallen by a third since 2004.
Key to Brake’s campaigning is Road Safety Week which takes place every November. Driver Hire has been and continues to be a long-term supporter of this annual event.
“The aim of Road Safety Week is to raise awareness of the devastating impact of road death and injury and make all road users more safety aware,” says Richard Owen-Hughes, Group Marketing Director. “The theme of this year’s event is ‘Safe People on the Move’ which is a great message for all of us to remember whenever we’re driving, whether it’s for work or pleasure.”