IAM RoadSmart is urging people to resist the temptation to take to the roads for anything other than essential journeys for food, health reasons or work that cannot be done from home.
With forecasts saying that sunshine and rising temperatures are set to continue in the run-up to the Easter weekend, the independent road safety charity said it was important for drivers to stay at home where possible.
IAM RoadSmart is also supporting the Road Safety GB Take Extra Care campaign which encourages all road users to help reduce the strain on the emergency services during the coronavirus pandemic by being particularly careful when making essential journeys.
A total of 31,690 people were killed or seriously injured on Great Britain’s roads in 2018 – an average of 87 people each day.
In the vast majority of these cases, the police and other emergency services would have attended, using up vital resources that are now needed elsewhere in the current crisis.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “We should all reduce speeds, wear a seatbelt, drive sober and alert and avoid distraction from mobile phones to help reduce the strain on the emergency services from road casualties. Traffic police are still active and are targeting the anti-social minority who seem to think that quiet roads are an excuse to put their foot down.”
Greig added: “Our incredible NHS staff and emergency services are concentrating all their efforts on tackling coronavirus. It’s crucial that we all maintain our driving and riding standards when making essential journeys. It’s just one way we can show our support for our fantastic frontline workers and do our bit.”
