Road Safety Week 2009 urges "stay sober, save lives"
Later this month, motorists across the UK will be asked to join fleet solutions professionals and those involved in commercial contract hire in support of the 2009 Road Safety Week (RSW).
Taking place between November 23rd and 29th, this year's event is once more being brought to the attention of people across the nation by Brake, a charity that specialises in road safety awareness. The company targets the prevention of accidents across the British transport network through its various campaigns, marketing strategies and educational drives – which are often underscored during RSW itself.
According to the group's official website, the week has gone from strength to strength so far and it is hoped this time around it will be able to build on the success of the themes addressed in previous campaigns. Last year, Brake asked people to consider family safety in line with its "Stop, Imagine, Change" message and prior to this child pedestrian and cyclist safety was the main focus of the annual initiative. In 2006, the RSW theme was young drivers and this is also relevant to the strategy it has applied for 2009.
"Brake is calling on all drivers to commit to not drink even a drop of alcohol before driving, nor take even a drag on a joint or any other illegal drug," the organisation explained. "We are also calling on communities to inform the police of known drunk and drugged drivers." It was also advised that a number of media channels will be used to push this message, which will come with the tagline Not a drop, Not a drag - Stay Sober, Save Lives.
The move to look not only at alcohol, but also drugs, has been backed by a series of studies this year that have highlighted what appears to be a growing problem among young drivers in particular. Earlier this year, research was published from the University of Montreal in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention that suggested "thrill-seeking young men are more likely to drive under the influence of cannabis", noting that the age of 27 was one of the most significant in the overall study. Senior author of the report Jacques Bergeron explained that the behaviour of dangerous drivers was found to be more reckless in those who act in an impulsive or sensation-seeking manner and this was heightened when they had taken the drug.
Other similar statistics include research from Brake and Cooperative Insurance that found 21 per cent of drivers between 17 and 18 admit to taking to the wheel with drink or drugs in their system, while More Than Insurance and YouGov report looked at how only small amounts of alcohol can significantly harm a motorists ability to steer properly.
In addition to potentially contributing to the number of deaths or serious injury on the road - a figure which stood at around 15,935 in 2007 - company car drivers and fleet managers also need to bear in mind the impact getting caught behind the wheel in this state can have. Transport research group TRL has pointed out in the past that almost one in six convicted drink-drivers are found out the morning after, while Brake advises that those responsible for hitting someone under the influence could face much worse than a few points on their licence.
"If you kill someone after drink or drug driving, you could go to prison for 14 years," it explained. "Even if you don't kill someone but are caught, you could face six months in prison, a one year ban and a £5,000 fine." The group concluded by suggesting those who feel sure they will not get collared by the police think twice about being so confident. "More than half a million breath tests for alcohol are carried out each year and … some drugs can still be traced in your system more then a month after you took them."
Organisations looking to get involved with RSW and make sure they adhere to duty of care policies can get free information from Brake on 01484 559909, where they should quote the term "Road Safety Week Company Action Pack". In addition, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions will be supporting the initiative with a dedicated online training course designed to highlight both the dangers and penalties of drink and drug driving. The facility will be available for all employees to complete. 
