Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to keeping Shropshire's roads safer for everyone. We carry out a year-round programme of events and campaigns to highlight safety and work closely with partner agencies to spread these messages throughout the County. Here, we have collected some of our most important advice, as well as listing those organisations we work with and how they can help you.
Stay safe on Shropshire's roads
Please consider the following key points on every trip:
- There is no safe way to use a phone whilst driving – turn it off or put it on silent, and put it out of reach
- Be a safe passenger – let the driver focus on the road
- Just drive – eating, drinking and smoking whilst driving reduces your reaction time
- Set your satnav or your sound system before you drive. If you need to adjust them, pull over in a safe place.
- Always wear a seatbelt. Not wearing a seatbelt can be a fatal decision even on short familiar journeys.
- Don’t get distracted. Taking your eyes off the road to check your phone, sat nav or music player could be very dangerous.
- Don't drink and drive. If you’re going out with friends arrange to have a designated non-drinking driver. Be aware that you may still be over the limit the morning after.
- Check both the tyre pressure and tyre tread every month
- Taking further training after you’ve passed your test will increase your safety. For more information see the West Mercia Safer Roads Partnership website.
- Always drive within the speed limit and reduce your speed according to the conditions. Make sure you allow enough time for every journey and always stick to the speed limit.
- Never take drugs and drive. This would be a cocktail for disaster as drugs greatly affect reaction times, concentration and may cause confusion.
- Don’t try and impress your mates. Having friends in the car can encourage you to take more risks, remember their safety is your responsibility
- Consider using “P” plates. Using “P” plates after you have passed your test so other road users know there is an inexperienced driver at the wheel. This can encourage them to take extra caution and decrease the risk of being involved in a collision
RTC extrication live stream
On Friday December 11, 2020 Wellington Green Watch performed a live extrication exercise of a "casualty" from an RTC. Watch the crew at work below, and hear about the experience of the "casualty".
Winter road safety advice (Click for more details)
- Pay attention to the changing road, traffic and weather conditions: be ready to slow down and take more care if you need to, particularly on bends and exposed roads
- Check traffic and weather updates before you set off AND en route
- Check your vehicle is ready for winter and always carry your emergency kit
- Keep your distance and watch your speed
Biker Down Shropshire
Biker Down uses the expertise of the Emergency Services and Road Safety Officers to prepare motorcyclists should the worst happen on the roads.
Information about the course can be found here
Mobility Scooter Users - Highway Code
If you are a user of a mobility scooter, you may find this highway code from Ableworld useful. It has been written to protect the safety of people who use electric mobility scooters and the safety of other road users and pedestrians.
Our partner agencies
# MORSE
# MORSE is an innovative safer roads initiative that is funded by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion. It aims to reduce the number of road traffic offences being committed on the roads throughout West Mercia (Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Telford) and make our roads and communities a safer place.
# MORSE is a partnership between YSS, West Mercia Police Operation Snap team, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and Warwickshire and West Mercia Community Rehabilitation Company (WWMCRC). The service does not focus on the offence in isolation, it looks holistically at the individual, focusing support around the individual’s need.
For more information on # MORSE, please visit www.yss.org.uk/morse
Operation Snap
As part of Operation Snap, members of the public can report and submit digital footage showing potential traffic offences via a secure online form.
This can range from driving dangerously or carelessly to overtaking on solid white lines, using a mobile phone while driving, ignoring traffic lights or dangerous driving around other road users, such as horse riders and cyclists.
Your submission will be sent to West Mercia Police where the evidence will be reviewed by one of our road traffic police officers.
Access the online form here: www.westmercia.police.uk/operationsnap
Road Safety Team for West Mercia Police
Along with other local authorities and emergency services, we support the Road Safety Team for West Mercia Police. Please visit the main Police website for further details: www.westmercia.police.uk
Brake Road safety charity
Brake is a charity who work towards a world where everyone is free to move in a safe and healthy way, every day. They work to stop road deaths and injuries, support people affected by road crashes and campaign for safe and healthy mobility for all. Below you will find an example of the kind of educational materials they produce to help spread their message.
You can find more information at brake.org.uk
Blue Light Aware
Based on guidance from within the Highway Code, the Blue Light Aware team have created a variety of resources to aid understanding of what to do when road users encounter the emergency services on a blue light journey. By watching the videos, you will have a better understanding of what is required which in turn make the blue light journey safer for the crews and could result in lives being saved.
Access the resources here: www.bluelightaware.org.uk
RoadPeace
RoadPeace has introduced a new and innovative support and information service for victims of serious injury collisions, as well as for bereaved families and witnesses. The service is provided through a dedicated Roads Victim Care Coordinator (RVCC) who works alongside the Victim Advice Line (VAL), which provides support for victims of crime, and in partnership with West Mercia Police.
For more information visit the RoadPeace website
Shropshire Advanced Motorists and Motorcyclists (SAMM)
SAMM is a group of drivers and riders in Shropshire, UK, affiliated with IAM RoadSmart, focused on improving road safety through advanced driving and riding techniques. They offer courses, assessments, and social events, and are run entirely by volunteers passionate about promoting safer driving and riding.
Access their information, events and advice on their website here
