Drivers are being urged to reduce their speed on the roads to avoid the potential for crashes – the estimated cause of up to 50 per cent of traumatic brain injuries.
New research has revealed the extent of the problem of speeding on the UK’s roads, with a third of all drivers admitting having been in a vehicle which has exceeded 100mph.
More than a quarter of men – 28 per cent – said they had driven at such a speed on a public road, compared to 9 per cent of women, with those in the 25 to 34 year old bracket being the most prolific offenders, research from road safety charity Brake has revealed.
An estimated half of all traumatic brain injuries are sustained in traffic collisions, many of which involve speeding drivers.
To mark Road Safety Week 2020, Brake is promoting the message of ‘No need to speed’ to try and make the roads a safer place for drivers and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
The charity highlights that stopping distances at 100mph are approximately 182m – the length of nearly two football pitches – making stopping in time to avoid a crash practically impossible. Research shows that, on average, there are 11 deaths or serious injuries every day on UK roads where speed is identified as a contributory factor to a collision.
But in addition to the dangers of excessive speeds, Brake – which delivers the National Road Victim Service, to support families cope with the devastating effects of a road crash – is also highlighting the fact that in many conditions, such as in the wet or near cyclists and pedestrians, even driving within the speed limit can be too fast.
Imogen Cauthey was only nine years old when she was hit by a driver who was using their mobile phone. She suffered a severe brain injury in the near-fatal incident, which has left her suffering from epilepsy.
“I feel I need to speak out and raise awareness of distracted drivers and to promote safer roads by sharing my story, it gives me a sense of purpose,” she says.
“While I have been left suffering life-threatening epileptic seizures, I have found a love of hiking and have been able to climb Ben Nevis. Next year, I and am looking forward to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I won’t let this stop me from living my life.”
Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, the road safety charity, stressed the importance of drivers reducing their speed to avoid life-changing or even fatal consequences.
“There is no excuse for breaking the speed limit and these figures highlight the grossly excessive speeds of some drivers who show complete disregard for the law and people’s safety,” he says.
“None of us should be put in danger by the high-risk behaviour of others when we’re getting about on roads, and that’s why, this Road Safety Week, we are asking everyone to join us in our call that there is no need to speed.
“Many drivers drift over limits by mistake, but our research shows that a shockingly large number of drivers, particularly men, break speed limits excessively.
“We want all drivers to remember the daily disasters that are due to speed, think about the victims, slow down, and reduce road danger. It’s important to remember that sometimes driving under the speed limit can still be too fast, particularly on winding roads, roads with poor visibility, and roads where there could be people about on bicycles and on foot.
“The voices of the bereaved and injured help us all to understand that getting somewhere a few minutes earlier is never worth the risk.”
Roads Minister, Baroness Vere, adds: “Speeding is illegal, reckless and puts people’s lives at unnecessary risk. For this reason, there are tough penalties and strict enforcement measures in place for those who disobey the law.
“We’re working hard to change attitudes that lead to speeding, including through our THINK! campaign which targets young men.
“The stories of families who have lost loved ones are absolutely heart-breaking. So please always remember there is no need to speed.”
