Safe vehicles save lives!
Every year, more than 1700 people die on UK roads. Another 30,000 receive serious, life-changing injuries. The numbers are shocking, and there has been no significant reduction for more than a decade.
At Brake, we believe that every road crash is a preventable tragedy. We believe in a world where no one is killed or harmed on a road. Safe vehicles can help us get there…
This Road Safety Week, we want to make sure that every time we get in a vehicle we are as safe as possible, whoever we are and however we travel.
Because safe vehicles save lives!
What is a safe vehicle?
Safe vehicles are designed to prevent road crashes and protect people inside and outside the vehicle if a crash does happen
Safe vehicles...
- Prevent crashes - Automated driver assistance systems keep vehicles in the right lane and below speed limits, detect hazards and brake in an emergency.
- Protect people inside and outside the vehicle - Seatbelts, airbags and ‘forgiving’ vehicle parts protect people inside and outside the vehicle in a crash. Vehicles must pass stringent crash tests.
- Manage driver safety - Vehicle technology detects unsafe driving behaviour (e.g. due to tiredness) and informs authorities.
- Are roadworthy - Vehicles are maintained to the highest standards and drivers carry out checks before every journey.
- Record crashes - Event data recorders record what happens in a crash and notify emergency services immediately.
Safe vehicles are an important part of the safe systems approach to road safety – a shared approach to prevent death and serious injury from road crashes.
Road Safety Week 2025 will take place from 16 to 22 November 2025
Sign up now to take part and do something amazing for road safety.
Everyone who registers will get access to a free Road Safety Week action pack, full of ideas and activities.
Sign up now to find out what's happening and how you can get involved. We will send updates by email to everyone who has registered.
#RoadSafetyWeek
This Road Safety Week…
- Brake is helping everyone understand what we mean when we talk about safe vehicles and why they are so vital in helping make our roads safer and preventing road death and injury.
- We are helping people understand why it’s important to ensure a vehicle is roadworthy before every journey, and how to carry out regular checks.
- We are talking about how the latest vehicle safety technology can make us all safer – but only if we keep features such as intelligent speed assistance switched on when we get in our cars.
- We are helping children and young people learn about safe vehicles and call on them to design the vehicles for the future.
- We are helping organisations that employ people who drive for work to understand the importance of buying and leasing the safest vehicles and carrying out essential safety checks before every journey.
- We are sharing the stories of people whose lives have been devastated by road crashes.
- We are showcasing the work of Brake's National Road Victim Service, which provides expert emotional and practical support to thousands of road victim families during their darkest and most difficult times.
Let's make every journey we make as safe as possible, whoever we are and however we travel.
Make time for tea this November and fundraise for Brake
This November, put the kettle on and join The Big Tea Brake. Whether you’re hosting at home, in the office, at school, or in your community, it’s the perfect excuse to gather for a cuppa, enjoy some sweet treats, and raise vital funds to support road crash victims and campaign for safer streets.
The Big Tea Brake is a fundraising event to bring people together over a hot drink and some sweet treats, while supporting Brake's work helping people affected by road crashes and campaigning for safer roads.
Host anytime in November, or join the movement during Road Safety Week to help us make an even bigger impact.
Every Tea Brake makes a difference. Whether you raise £10 or £1,000, you can help us be there for families devastated by road crashes and support our campaigns to prevent future tragedies.
When the worst happens, Brake is here to help
At Brake, we know that the right support at the right time can change the course of someone's life.
Brake’s National Road Victim Service is a free, professional, trauma-informed service for road victims run by Brake.
Every year, we provide expert emotional and practical support to thousands of families during their darkest and most difficult times. There are many more who need our help.
To get help after a road crash, call 0808 8000 401 or email help@brake.org.uk
What is Road Safety Week?
Road Safety Week is Brake's biggest road safety campaign. Every year, thousands of schools, organisations and communities get involved to share important road safety messages, remember people affected by road death and injury, and raise funds to help Brake care for more road victims and campaign for safe roads for everyone.
Click the links below to find out more about previous Road Safety Weeks and how communities, organisations, and individuals took part.
Road Safety Week 2025 is organised by Brake and sponsored by Autoglass, Hastings Direct, Motive and Samsara. Thank you to our sponsors, we couldn't do it without you!