Police and PCCs get behind the biggest Project EDWARD yet

Police chiefs and forces across the UK – along with Police and Crime Commissioners – are backing the week of action for Project EDWARD – Every Day Without A Road Death – which launches today with its most ambitious full week of events to promote road safety.

Three road trips will criss-cross the country from Monday to Friday visiting the very best examples of road safety projects across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Along the way, some of the most influential thought leaders in road safety will be invited to come along for the ride and join the team to share their insights and experience – among them, numerous Police representatives.

Wednesday 21 September is National Safe Speeds Day, and the National Roads Policing Operations and Intelligence (NRPOI), the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the Association of Police and Crime Commissions (APPC) have expressed their support.

Jo Shiner, Chief Constable of Sussex Police and National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing says: “I am fully supportive of this year’s National Safe Speeds Day on Wednesday 21 September. Once again, I welcome the efforts by members of the Project EDWARD team to highlight the benefits for all road users of understanding and choosing speeds that are legal and safe.

“For a 24-hour period starting at 0700 on Wednesday 21 September police officers all over the UK will build on the excellent work they already do and focus their efforts even more to encourage compliance with speed limits, because we know lower speeds mean fewer road deaths.

CC Jo Shiner

“As well as delivering vital road safety benefits, lower driving speeds help to improve quality of life, especially in urban areas, as they reduce emissions, fuel consumption and noise.

“I urge you to ensure you always drive at speeds that are legal and safe, not because you might otherwise get caught – but because you recognise it as the right thing to do, remember that speed limits are just that, a limit not a target. By doing so we can all play a vital part in reducing unnecessary death and serious injury on our roads.”

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner and APCC Lead for Road Safety, Katy Bourne says: “Every 22 minutes someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. These figures are a stark reminder that more needs to be done to make our roads safer. I am determined to drive forward progressive and lasting change, by ensuring that police have all the tools they need to understand how and why collisions occur and also educating the public on how they can protect themselves and others as road users.

“As the APCC National Lead for Road Safety, I am delighted to support Project EDWARD as it continues to raise the profile of road safety year on year.

“Backed by government, the emergency services, highways agencies, road safety organisations and British businesses, Project EDWARD promotes the good practice being carried out around the country including, safe vehicles; road use; speed and crash care.

“This year, the Project EDWARD team have planned their biggest week of action yet which is taking place on 19-23 September. They will be visiting the very best examples of road safety projects and speaking with leaders across the country whilst focusing on their theme ‘Changing Minds, Changing Behaviour’.

“I very much look forward to joining the Project EDWARD team and partners in September to discuss Sussex road safety initiatives.”

Katy Bourne is involved in events in Brighton on Monday 19 September on impairment and on vulnerable road users. Throughout the week, Police and PCCs are joining events in Telford, Merseyside, Oxford, Rugby and Cardiff.