A major national campaign designed to tackle the UK’s road death endemic kicks off this week.
The RoadPeace Challenge is into its third year following on from its successful challenges in 2021 and 2022, which saw Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox from the Metropolitan Police complete two rigorous events over the course of a week.
In 2021 he ran 200km over nine days before taking on a mammoth challenge in 2022 which saw him partake in 30miles of activity (a walk, a run, a cycle) for seven consecutive days.
Last year, 67 people sadly died on the roads of Greater Manchester, and by spreading awareness around the fatal four offences that cause serious road traffic collisions, and they hope is that number can be reduced significantly.
The campaign will take place from 15-21 May 2023 in conjunction with the UN’s Global Road Safety Week and will be supported by police forces, doctors, NHS, air ambulance and safer roads teams around the UK.
Greater Manchester Police will be taking proactive steps with activities taking place across the week to engage and educate the public around road safety and steps they can take to improve their habits on the road.
On Wednesday 17 May they will be relaunching our Close Pass scheme, the initiative’s aim is to reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers not giving enough space to people riding bikes.
The Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Dame Sarah Storey will be in attendance along with partners from Travel for Greater Manchester, RoadPeace, Project Edward and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Chief Inspector Ronnie Neilson of GMP Safer Transport team said: “I am delighted that we will be playing our part in RoadPeace Week and continuing our commitment to make the roads of Greater Manchester a safer place.
“This week of action is vitally important, not just to showcase the work we do on a regular basis but to continue to inform and educate road users.
“Across the week we will be out and about with notice of intended prosecutions being issued to road users who are not complying with the law and falling foul of any of the ‘Fatal Four’ – those being drink and drug driving, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile device behind the wheel.
“Sadly there are too many people losing their lives on the roads of Greater Manchester, and this must change.”
Nick Simmons, CEO of RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, said: “Every day, on average, around five people die and hundreds more are injured in collisions on the UK’s roads, destroying families and changing lives forever.
“The RoadPeace Challenge brings together the police, local authorities, the fire service, NHS and other professionals who witness the daily devastation caused by road crashes in the UK, along with victims and bereaved families – to make a united stand against road harm to support Vision Zero.
“We’re very grateful to Greater Manchester Police for their support with this very important campaign and for helping to strengthen the voices of road crash victims and bereaved families.”
