On 23 November 2023, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service joined partners at Rye Marketplace in a collaborative effort to prioritise road safety and curb speeding. Local authorities joined forces with community leaders and stakeholders for a road safety event supporting Brake Road Safety Week, aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive speed and encourage responsible driving habits within the community.
The road safety event drew a significant turnout, with community members, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, and advocacy groups coming together to address the critical issue of speeding on local roads.
The event featured a Crash Trailer, the display provided a powerful visual representation of the consequences of a road traffic collision. Seeing a real, damaged vehicle had quite an impact on the audience and promoted discussions, particularly highlighting the impact of speed on braking distances and collision severity.
Local firefighters played a significant role in the event, providing valuable insights into the consequences of speeding and enforcing the importance of adhering to speed limits. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service staff engaged with the community, answered questions, and distributed educational materials.
Susan Taylor, Community Engagement Partner for Road Safety, said: “The event successfully heightened awareness about the dangers of speeding, with attendees pledging to prioritise road safety by adhering to speed limits avoiding distractions and encouraging responsible driving within their social circles. This marks a significant step towards making our roads safer. We appreciate the community's commitment to responsible driving, and we will continue working together to ensure our streets are safe for everyone."
Find out more about Road Safety here: www.esfrs.org/road-safety
Make sure you are prepared for winter driving by visiting: www.esfrs.org/winter-driving