The Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative

The Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative is lending its full support the region's Road Respect campaign. We are fully committed to building a culture of respect on the region's roads by creating roads that are safer and journeys that are less stressful. Contrary to what is often implied in the media we ARE on the side of the motorist. Our aims are to ensure a safe and enjoyable driving experience for all motorists and to ensure that more vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians are as safe as possible.

The Government’s ‘Respect Agenda’ seeks to rid communities of all anti-social behaviour. Unfortunately such behaviour is not just confined to the side-streets and back-alleys of our communities. It is also very evident on the region's roads where the potential for serious injury and death is so much greater. Motorists interact with hundreds of other road users every day and as we see far too often in the media - a lack of respect for the road itself and other users can have tragic consequences.

on the roads can be the difference between an accident and a serious crime. A lack of respect for other road users can typically be defined by a wide range of behaviour, including:

Speeding
Using a mobile phone while driving
Obscene gestures
Aggressive driving
Undertaking, or overtaking inappropriately
Not being in full control of your vehicle
Following too closely behind another vehicle
Not paying attention to the road
Driving a vehicle that is unroadworthy
Reckless driving

All of the above can be described as disrespectful and whilst using your hand held mobile phone whilst driving may seem harmless - there have been numerous cases where such actions have resulted in deaths and in the user of the mobile phone going to prison. You can see evidence of this in our disrespectful driving section, where the case studies and images show just how dangerous some drivers can be - and the consequences of their actions. It is our responsibility to show respect when out on the roads. The majority of motorists are respectful and law-abiding. However, for some road users enforcement is the only way to highlight their disrespectful behaviour.

Whether you are a company, an organisation, or a private individual - you can join us in lending support to this campaign by visiting the websites below

Please have respect for the road conditions, have respect for your vehicle and have respect for others on the road.

View the true cost of speeding