Image: Project EDWARD
Police forces across the UK are taking part in the first ever National Safe Speeds Day, to highlight the human cost of excessive speed.
The 24-hour operation, which commenced at 7am this morning (15 Sept), has been organised as part of the Project EDWARD week of action (13-17 Sept).
As part of the operation, officers from all 43 police forces in England and Wales, as well as Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, will step up their efforts to encourage compliance with speed limits.
Jo Shiner, a chief constable at Sussex Police, said: “I am fully supportive of this first National Safe Speeds Day and 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 7am on Wednesday 15 September, police officers all over the UK will step up their efforts to encourage compliance with speed limits, because we know lower speeds mean fewer road deaths.”
Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death) is an annual road safety campaign, which aims to provide a platform to showcase some of the best work being done around the UK to promote the five pillars of the ‘Safe System’ approach:
- Safe vehicles
- Safe road use
- Safe speed
- Safe roads and roadsides
- Post crash care
Since its inception in 2016, the initiative has established itself as one of the major events on the road safety calendar – with support from the Government, emergency services, highways agencies, road safety organisations and businesses.
The theme for Project EDWARD 2021 is ‘Fit for the Road’.
The week will comprise the three road trips, which started in Ely, Dundee and Plymouth on Monday. Each will be driven in an electric car and will set out to highlight examples of good practice in techniques, policies and strategies that reflect the principles of the Safe System.
The full itinerary for each of the road trips can be found on the Project EDWARD website.
Meanwhile, twice-daily live broadcasts are taking place throughout the week.
They will be streamed via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube simultaneously – and will also be accessible on the home page of the Project EDWARD website.
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