Road safety campaign group urges extra care from drivers

South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership is backing the Share the Road initiative, which asks different types of road users to think about what steps they can take to protect each other.

It encourages drivers to take extra care around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders, as well as offering universal road safety advice.

Joanne Wehrle, manager of SYSRP, said: “Certain types of road users do not have the same protection as a driver sitting in a vehicle and even relatively minor contact can seriously injure them.

“This campaign will seek to educate drivers about safe passing distances and slowing down when it comes to fellow road users.

“It will also offer information and advice to cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders and motorcyclists about the ways that they can help to protect themselves.

“The reality is that the roads belong to everyone and we all have a role to play when it comes to keeping each other safe."

In South Yorkshire in 2020, 1,678 car drivers or passengers were injured in a road traffic collision, as well as 378 pedestrians, 261 pedal cyclists and 161 powered-two-wheeler riders.

“Although we saw an 18 per cent reduction in the number of overall casualties on our roads last year, 30 people sadly still lost their lives,” added Joanne.

“If we want to see real change on our roads and to reduce casualty numbers even further, we all must play our part.

“We need there to be an understanding and acceptance of the unique challenges faced by different road user groups and there are rules for everyone.

“The Highway Code is a book for us all and all road users need to observe the rules that apply to them, including recognising that we all have rights on the road.”

As part of the campaign, the Safer Roads team will travel around the county using advans to remind people of the need to Look Out and Share the Road.

On social media, the team will signpost road users to relevant resources and training courses, focussing on a different road user type every day with key messages including hazard perception, overtaking, visibility, the impact of weather and what to look out for at junctions.

Joanne added: “With schools back, there is extra traffic, as well as more pedestrians, so drivers and riders should take extra time and be more vigilant when passing areas with high footfall.

“We are also heading into darker nights, so we all need to think about standing out in lower lighting conditions.

“All these things will help to reduce collisions and injuries on our roads.”

The Safer Roads website has a wide range of tips and information for all road users and can be found at sysrp.co.uk.