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, how we are working to make our road s safer and a 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.https://www.think.gov.uk/campaign/seatbelts-2024/
- 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, condition and tyre tread every month https://www.tyresafe.org/the-checks/
- 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
Do you know the highway code?
As of 2025, there have been significant changes in the highway code, introducing stricter mobile phone rules, new electric vehicle guidelines, priority for cyclists and pedestrians, and updated speed and safety regulations for all road users.
The Highway Code: rules for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians: https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code-road-safety
Look out for cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and horse riders. Make eye contact where possible to show you have seen them. Use your indicators to signal intentions and look out for their signals.
Cycle Safety
Give cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders plenty of space when overtaking them.
Always check for cyclists and motorcyclists when opening your car door, pulling out at a junction, or when doing a manoeuvre.
https://www.think.gov.uk/cycle-safety/
E bikes and E scooters
E-bikes and E scooters are becoming increasingly popular, as they can offer people an eco-friendly, affordable and convenient mode of transport, enabling more people to cycle and support their health and wellbeing.
https://www.westmercia.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/advice-escooters/
While most e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries are safe when used correctly, lithium-ion batteries can cause serious fires, particularly if of poor quality, when damaged or improperly used. It is important, when charging e-bikes and e-scooters, you do so safely to avoid a risk of a fire starting and putting your families and homes at risk.
With an increased use of e-bikes and e-scooters, comes a corresponding fire safety concern associated with their charging and storage. The use of these products is expected to continue to rise. Some fire services and fire investigators have seen a rise in e-bike and e-scooter battery fires.
https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/campaigns/charge-safe/
Young/ Inexperienced Drivers
Young and inexperienced drivers face unique challenges on the road, including higher insurance costs and increased risk of accidents.
Road safety education in schools in Shropshire is delivered by teams through the local authorities:
https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/sustainable-travel/road-safety-education-for-schools-and-colleges/
Mature drivers
Experienced drivers are, in general, safer than those with less experience. But as we get older, our health and fitness, often including our eyesight, physical condition and reaction times, begins to decline. Age related conditions can also begin to affect our driving. Of course, this is different for each person; there isn’t an age at which we automatically become unsafe to drive.
Mature drivers across Shropshire are invited to book a free place at one of our mature driver awareness sessions which are taking place across the county over the coming months. Check out our events page for details of future sessions.
Events are delivered in partnership by West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner.
Sessions are free to attend but places are limited and must be booked in advance.
Sessions are aimed primarily at drivers aged 65+. Attendees will experience a virtual reality film which has been developed specifically to help drivers understand the changes that happen as we age and how it can affect our driving. After watching each film, there will be the opportunity to ask any questions and discuss any concerns you may have.
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
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
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.
https://www.advancedmotorists.org/young-drivers
Access their information, events and advice on their website here