Franchisor Recognition Express is collaborating with national road safety charity Brake for the eighth consecutive year to run a competition aligned with Road Safety Week (21-27 November).

The UK supplier of promotional products, branded clothing and corporate merchandise is inviting primary schools to design banners conveying this year’s Road Safety Week theme: Make the Brake pledge.

The Brake Pledge focuses on six elements: Slow, Sober, Secure, Silent, Sharp and Sustainable.

By focusing on these actions, the roads can be a safer place for everyone.

Five people die every day on UK roads as a result of these elements being neglected.  The campaign encourages everyone to Make the Brake Pledge and show their commitment to saving lives on the roads. Non-drivers can take the Pledge too, promising to help drivers stick to the six Pledge points.

Twelve regional winners will be chosen from the competition, each of whom will be presented with a large-scale printed banner featuring their design for display outside their school. In addition, winning schools will receive a high-visibility drawstring bag for every pupil and the child behind the design will be given a special award.

Each participating school will get free annual membership to Brake. This includes a Road Safety Week e-action pack with downloadable posters and tips on activities that schools can run, as well as on-going news bulletins on other Brake initiatives and campaigns.

Recognition Express first joined forces with Brake in 2009 to engage children and raise awareness of road safety issues. The annual banner competition has become very popular and the charity will be emailing details to schools in early September. Information is also available at www.recognition-express.com/roadsafetyweek. The closing date for entries is Friday 7 October.

Said Nigel Toplis, managing director, Recognition Express: “The road safety competition has become an important part of our calendar – the whole business gets behind it. This year’s theme is relevant to everybody, as every action that we take, as a driver or as a passenger, can change the outcome of a journey.

I am sure pupils will have a lot of fun designing banners to communicate this very important message and we look forward to seeing the entries. Brake does an excellent job of keeping road safety on the political agenda and we fully support the campaign which encourages everyone to focus on all our actions and Make the Brake Pledge.”

Abi Smith, corporate fundraiser at Brake said: “We welcome the opportunity to partner with Recognition Express, helping to educate children on road safety awareness and giving them a voice to campaign for their communities to become safer. Road Safety Week is our annual event getting people, communities, businesses and groups to shout out about road safety and get involved! The design a banner competition is a fun and engaging way for schools and children to take part and has become an integral part to our week long campaign. Brake greatly values the work that Recognition Express does to engage with children during Road Safety Week, helping to create safer communities.”

There are lots of opportunities for companies and individuals to get involved in Road Safety Week.  Visit www.roadsafetyweek.org for ideas and to order a free Road Safety Week pack. There’s something for everyone whether you are a mum, dad, teacher, represent a company or simply interested in road safety.

Published on: August 10th, 2016