The number of deaths and serious injuries occurring on roads across Lincolnshire is on the rise
So far this year there's been 11% more fatalities in the county than this time last year, totalling at 39 deaths
32 more people were killed or seriously injured on Lincolnshire's Roads in 2021 than the previous year, a number that is expected to rise again this year. Therefore, the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership are keen to tackle this and are taking part in Brakes Road Safety Week.
Brakes coordinates Road Safety Week annually and provides help for families bereaved and seriously injured by road crashes.
This week they're calling on everyone, particularly drivers, to help end the carnage and make roads safe for all, which is the theme of this year's Road Safety Week.
The week is calling on drivers to learn and follow the new Highway Code, which changed this year to give greater priority to people on bicycles and foot. All drivers can stay within speed limits, watch out for people, and give more space.
Road crashes hit at the heart of families. Brake’s National Road Victim Service supports the bereaved and seriously injured families with dedicated caseworkers, helping with emotional support and practical care.
Mary Williams OBE, chief executive of Brake, said:
"Brake's National Road Victim Service sees the devastation caused by road crashes, which strike at the heart of families. We can and must all work together to stop these appalling tragedies and make our roads safe for all.
"We are appealing to everyone, particularly drivers, employers and communities, to shout out for Safe Roads for All in Road Safety Week and every week. Whether you are a driver slowing down, an employer introducing more safe driving policies, or a community working with a local authority for a 20mph limit, we can all make a difference."
In 2021 there was a total of 622 people killed or seriously injured in Lincolnshire, making it the worst region in the East Midlands.
Across the region, schools, employers and community groups are also supporting the week with awareness raising activities, including the Lincolnshire's Road Safety Partnership.
Senior Manager Steven Batchelor says Lincolnshire's roads are individual:
"Lincolnshire does have a unique set of circumstances and it's a very large county. You've got one of the largest road networks in the UK within the county. We've got many high-speed single carriageway roads. We've got a very difficult mix of vehicles to try and keep safe, where you have people coming in for tourism. We've got some fabulous places to visit, so you'll have motorhomes and caravans, for example, people who might not be familiar with the roads and with the areas.
"We're Very popular with motorcycle riders coming in for Cadwell Park and places like Willingham Woods, and so it's just really important that people are very much conscious of the way in which they drive.
"It's about driving in the conditions but understanding that there's a potential risk or a potential hazard round the corner and making sure that you would be able to respond to that should something happen. I think that's something we'd really like to get through to people, you know, it's so easy to just be on cruise control, mentally, as you're driving and not necessarily thinking about what might happen. But when you least expect it, by its very nature, that's when an accident it's going to occur. So, it's just giving yourself the ability to try and react as best as you possibly can and prevent somebody from losing a life."