Road Safety Week

Thousands of schools, organisations and communities from around the UK will come together to share road safety messages, remember those lost and affected by accidents and raise funds for more care and campaigning as part of Road Safety Week.

Taking place from 15 to 21 November, 2026, Road Safety Week was initiated by the road safety charity Brake. This year, Brake has decided to focus on how every road user has the responsibility to keept themselves and others - especially those more vulnerable than them - safe while on the move.

This is because:

• 1 in 4 people killed on the road is a pedestrian or a cyclist
• 1 in 9 casualties is a child under the age of 16
• Over 1,700 people die on UK roads every year
• Over 30,000 people in the UK receive life-changing injuries after road crashes
• Over 1.35 million die on the roads globally.

Road Safety week will give families and friends a platform to remember loved ones who have died or had their lives changed as a result of a car crash. It can also help anyone involved talk about their experiences.

When did Road Safety Week start?

Initiated in 1997 by Brake, Road Safety Week aims to raise awareness and promote actions that can help reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the road.

For 2026, Brake has confirmed that Road Safety Week will focus on 'safe people on the move': 'Whether we walk, wheel, ride or drive, we all share our roads when we are on the move. Whoever we are, and however we travel, by using our roads safely we help to protect ourselves and each other.'

What does Brake believe a safe vehicle should do?

• Prevent crashes - Automated driver assistance helps vehicles stay in the right lane and stick to speed limits. They can also help detect hazards and brake if there is an emergency.
• Protect people inside and outside the vehicle - The basic safety elements like seatbelts, airbags and ‘forgiving’ vehicle parts protect people inside and outside the vehicle in the event of a crash. Vehicles have to pass stringent crash tests to be deemed roadworthy.
• Manage driver safety - Vehicle technology can help detect unsafe driving behaviour (e.g. due to tiredness) and inform the relevant authorities to keep you and others safe on the road.
• Be roadworthy - Vehicles should be maintained to the highest standards. To ensure this, drivers should carry out basic maintenance checks before every journey.
• Record crashes - Event data recorders record what happens in a crash and immediately notify emergency services.

What activities can I run for Road Safety Week?

If you’re planning to mark Road Safety Week, you could do any of the following to educate the public about the dangers of the road:

• Organise an event – Put on a fundraising event where people can learn about road safety. This year, Brake are encouraging people to put on the kettle and enjoy a sweet treat as part of The Big Tea Brake.
• Give a talk at a school or educational establishment – Help children and young people learn about those who help out after a crash by providing them with fact sheets, posters, films and more.
• Make a donation – If you can afford to, why not make a donation to Brake so they can continue to provide care services and campaign for more awareness?

Whether you’re observing, advocating or simply driving responsibly, anyone can get involved in Road Safety Week. Anything you can do can help raise awareness of the importance of driving, pedestrian safety and improving our roads so that they can be safer for everyone.