Road Safety Week: Safe Vehicles Save Lives

Road Safety Week (16-22 November) is a reminder of how critical vehicle safety is for protecting drivers, passengers, and everyone on the road. This year’s theme, “Safe Vehicles Save Lives”, highlights the importance of well-maintained and properly equipped vehicles. As winter brings more challenging conditions, now is the perfect time to make sure your fleet is prepared.

Why Safe Vehicles Matter

Safe, roadworthy vehicles play a vital role in reducing collisions and injuries. Every day, five people are killed on UK roads, and many incidents could be prevented through better vehicle maintenance or by using built-in safety technology correctly.
Modern safety systems like lane assist, autonomous emergency braking, and speed limiters are designed to reduce risk. And standard features such as seatbelts and airbags can save your life in a collision. However, these systems and technology must be supported by servicing, proactive maintenance, and regular safety checks, particularly as temperatures drop and risks on the road rise.
Ignoring vehicle condition doesn’t just increase safety risks, it can also be costly.
Penalties for driving an unroadworthy vehicle can include fines of up to £2,500, penalty points, and even a driving ban. With over 6 million tyres in the UK below the legal tread limit each year, and tyres being one of the biggest costs affecting fleets, regular checks protect your drivers and your bottom line.

Winter Brings Extra Challenges

Shorter days, low sun, freezing temperatures, and wet or icy roads significantly increase the likelihood of breakdowns and collisions. Winter breakdown callouts almost double, and battery failures rise by more than 50%, and according to the Department for Transport (DfT), road accidents increase by 20% during the winter months.

However, with a little preparation, many of these issues can be prevented:

• Increase stopping distances in wet, icy, or snowy conditions.
• Reduce speed and leave extra space between vehicles.
• Accelerate and brake gently to maintain traction.
• Use lower gears when driving on hills.
• Watch for black ice on bridges, shaded areas, and early mornings.

Your Winter Safety Checklist

Before setting off, every driver should complete these simple checks:

• Tyres: Check tread depth and tyre pressure. Watch for cracking or damage in cold weather.
• Windscreen & Wipers: Inspect for chips, top up screenwash, and replace worn blades.
• Fluids & Battery: Check coolant levels and add antifreeze.
• Fuel: Efficiency drops in cold weather, avoid running low.
• De-Icing: Allow extra time to clear ice safely. Never use boiling water which can crack the glass.
• EVs: Cold weather reduces range, so plan ahead. Precondition the cabin while plugged in to preserve battery life.

Holman Helps You Stay Roadworthy

Keeping vehicles safe and compliant is essential, especially during winter when risks increase. Regular servicing and preventative maintenance reduce the chance of breakdowns and help ensure vehicles perform as they should. We focus on proactive, preventative maintenance to minimise avoidable downtime and keep vehicles performing at their best with our comprehensive Service, Maintenance & Repair (SMR) solutions. And when the unexpected happens, our skilled technicians and nationwide Masterserve Network are on hand to get your drivers moving again quickly and safely. Safe vehicles don’t just save lives, they keep your business moving.

Although this year’s theme focuses on vehicles, it’s important to remember that safety doesn’t stop there. Well-maintained vehicles and informed, responsible drivers work together to reduce risk.
Holman’s Driver Risk Management solutions help fleets take a proactive approach to driver safety. Our Riskmaster programme provides clear insight into each driver’s risk profile and training needs, enabling targeted interventions that improve skills and habits. By addressing risk before it becomes an incident, you can reduce collisions, control costs, and most importantly, help ensure every driver gets home safely.

Take action this Road Safety Week

Road Safety Week is the perfect time to review your policies and procedures. Make sure you’re choosing the safest vehicles available for your fleet, and ensure your grey fleet meets UK safety standards. Support drivers to carry out inspections before every journey by providing checklists or utilising a Driver App.
Prioritising vehicle safety protects your drivers and helps make every journey safer. Speak to Holman today to keep your fleet roadworthy this winter.
And for more ways to get involved with Road Safety Week, explore the resources available from Brake.