Pedestrians: take care on the roads this Christmas

News from our partners Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia and Warwickshire

With the shortest day of the year upon us, the Safer Roads Partnership is reminding pedestrians to think about their safety on the roads this Christmas – particularly during hours of darkness.

With Christmas just days away, this week will be an extremely busy one – both for shoppers during the day and with partygoers at night. The Safer Roads Partnership is reminding everyone who is out and about this week as a pedestrian to take care, particularly during dark mornings and evenings when it is more difficult for other road users to see you.

Pedestrians are encouraged to ensure they are visible to motorists, use pedestrian crossings where possible – especially on multi carriageways and unlit roads – and take extra care not to stray onto the road if they’ve been out drinking.

Motorists are also being urged to take extra care. There will be a huge number of cars, buses and taxis on the roads this week, and all motorists are being asked to look out for other road users who may be more vulnerable, particularly at night when it’s dark and pedestrians may be coming out of pubs and clubs after drinking.

Anna Higgins, Communications Manager at the Safer Roads Partnership, said:-

“We’re encouraging all road users to share the road responsibly over the festive season, and reminding pedestrians to take extra caution – particularly at this time of year when daylight hours are at their fewest and the roads are very busy. Sadly, three pedestrians have lost their lives in West Mercia since the beginning of November 2015. With Christmas week upon us, it’s important that all road users take extra care, think about their own safety and be aware – and show consideration – of each other.”

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Further information

The Safer Roads Partnership is part of West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police, and works in partnership with the four local highway authorities in West Mercia (Herefordshire Council, Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council and Worcestershire County Council); Warwickshire County Council; the Highways Agency; HM Courts Service – West Mercia; Fire & Rescue Services for Hereford & Worcester, Shropshire and Warwickshire; and West Mercia Cluster of Primary Care Trusts.