Mallatite, Signature, Dee-Organ and Post + Column are all taking part in the UK’s biggest road safety event, Road Safety Week (21-27 November), co-ordinated by Brake, the road safety charity. This year, thousands of organisations, schools and community groups are backing the Make the Make the Brake Pledge campaign, helping to spread awareness about six simple things to save lives and the planet.

“Brake Road Safety Week is an extremely worthwhile charity event that is particularly relevant to our industry. We’re a manufacturer and distributor of a wide range of products that are vital to the safety of all types of road user, so it’s important that we all play our part to raise awareness and funds for this great cause. We’re encouraging all team members across our five sites around the country to get involved by making the pledge, holding a bright day and baking for Brake.” Jonathan Brown, event co-ordinator for Mallatite Ltd

The Road Safety Week 2016 theme, Make the Brake Pledge, is about people all over the country understanding six key things they can do to protect themselves and the people around them, and reduce emissions and pollution from vehicles. The six Brake Pledge points are: Slow, Sober, Secure, Silent, Sharp and Sustainable.

Dave Nichols, community engagement manager for Brake, said: “We’re delighted Mallatite is getting involved with Road Safety Week and strengthening Brake’s campaign for safer roads. We’ve designed this year’s theme to be action-orientated. Everyone – individuals, businesses, schools and community organisations – can make and share the Brake Pledge. Brake is working for safe, sustainable, healthy and fair transport. Brake supports a vision zero approach, which places the emphasis on systems to save lives and the planet, such as 20mph limits in towns and segregated routes for people on foot and bicycles. We know it is challenging to change road users’ behaviour and humans make mistakes and some knowingly take risks. However, the deaths and injuries are happening right now, this week, and everyone can do their bit today by spreading awareness of the vital importance of the Pledge rules: slow down; never drink or take drugs or use a mobile when driving; always wear a seat belt; get eyesight tested; and minimise driving.”

Every day, five people are killed and more than 60 people are seriously injured on UK roads [1][2]. There are an estimated further 29,000 deaths from particulate matter pollution in the UK [3], 5,000 of which are attributable to road transport [4], and an additional 23,500 deaths from NO2 [5]. Brake is asking everyone to help end this needless suffering by spreading the word in Road Safety Week about the life-saving importance of the Pledge.