Road safety professionals across the UK – and Europe – marked Project EDWARD 2017 with a host of events and initiatives.
Taking place on 21 September, the second edition of Project EDWARD (European Day Without A Road Death) looked to encourage drivers, riders and pedestrians to spare an extra thought for their safety.
The event was organised byTISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, whose long-term aim is to use the initiative to spearhead significant and sustained reduction in death and serious injury on roads across the world.
In the UK, a variety of police forces, councils and road safety stakeholders organised events – including in Essex, Surrey and Sussex and Staffordshire.
On Twitter, the event’s hashtag, #ProjectEDWARD, trended for much of the morning – meaning it was one of the most talked about things in the UK during that period.
Below is some of the highlights from the day, including some of the best bits from social media.
14.45
What can you do for Project EDWARD?
What can you do for #ProjectEDWARD ? pic.twitter.com/wMwdeKgiOm
— Project EDWARD (@ProjectEdward) September 21, 2017
13.00
High-visibility day of action in Surrey and Sussex
The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) and Surrey’s DriveSMART are combining forces for a high-visibility day of action to mark Project EDWARD.
Working closely with partners in the fire services and local authorities, the organisations are aiming to encourage all road users to think about their performance on the highways, and how this can be improved for their own and others’ safety.
Further to that, road safety messaging is being promoted on social media, while road safety officers are visiting schools and universities in the region.
Casualty reduction officers are talking to members of the public, while enforcement is being carried out by dedicated patrols throughout the road network of the two counties.
- Chichester, Tesco
- Haywards Heath, Sainsbury’s
- Collyer’s College freshers’ fair, Horsham
- WSFRS cadets programme, Worthing
Chief inspector Warren Franklin, Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: “Whilst we aim to have zero road deaths for the whole year round, if we can achieve this one day fatality-free, this can begin to change the current public perception that casualties when driving are just something we have to accept.
“Driving is such a normalised way of life, and we frequently don’t consider how to improve our skills here, or think about our journeys in the way they should be treated, which is potentially life-threatening.”
12.05
Staffordshire Police targets highest priority roads
Staffordshire Police is deploying its Tactical Support Team in and around the county’s highest priority roads as part of its efforts to help deliver a European Day Without A Road Death.
Working with partners in the community, there will also be 29 locations that will be monitored by Community Speed Watch (CSW) teams.
The teams will be recording the speed of passing vehicles, with dthe data passed back to Staffordshire Police to make contact with the drivers.
Inspector Matt Derrick, head of the Tactical Support Team, said: "We’re fortunate in Staffordshire to have quite a low number of road deaths, but we must not forget that every death makes a huge impact on our communities and especially amongst the families of those involved.
“A day without a road death is very achievable so let’s do our best in Staffordshire to make it happen."
11.30
TISPOL broadcasts Project EDWARD event live on Facebook
TISPOL – the European Traffic Police Network – has organised Project EDWARD. Throughout the day, they will be live streaming a special one-day conference via their Facebook page.
The conference is taking place in Rome, but I am reliably informed the speakers will present in English.
11.15
THINK! about road safety
70 people loose their lives evey day on European roads! That’s why THINK! support #ProjectEDWARD European Day Without Any Road Deaths pic.twitter.com/qKlHRuk5ZB
— THINK! road safety (@THINKgovuk) September 21, 2017
10.30
Essex welcomes Project EDWARD with host of events
SERP is today (21 Sept) supporting Project EDWARD 2017 with more than a dozen road safety-related events being staged across the county.
The events being staged across Essex range from young driver activities to pedestrian training, Bikeability cycle training, community speed watch and a ‘surround a town’ event in Chelmsford.
‘Surround a town’ will see Essex Police and road safety officers interact with offending motorists at various sites around the town. Further to that, Essex County Fire and Rescue will be providing information to members of the public in the town centre.
The other towns where events are being staged include Colchester, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock, Rochford, Maldon and Epping.
SERP is also inviting schools to take part in a road safety poetry competition, looking for poems (max 200 words) relating to issues such as walking to school, driving, being a passenger, horse riding and cycling.
09.30
Project EDWARD trends on Twitter
While looking for a day with no road deaths, one of Project EDWARD’s aims is to raise awareness of key road safety issues.
Trending on Twitter means the day can be seen a success – as it shows the initiative is one of the most talked about things in the UK.
Top 5:
1: #ThursdayThoughts
2: Martin Amis +9
3: #WorldAlzheimersDay +2
4: #StudentDebt
5: #ProjectEDWARD +6— Trends5UK (@Trends5UK) September 21, 2017
Comment on this story