Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) as a member of the Safer Roads for Kent group, is on a mission to make the county’s roads safer.

Over the last three years, firefighters have dealt with more than 3,350 crashes, many of which have involved vehicle cutting to free people trapped inside. Sadly a number of crashes have resulted in people dying or sustaining life-changing injuries, which also impact the lives of their families and friends.

In a bid to reduce the number of these incidents, the service is launching a new campaign called ‘Drive’ to empower Kent and Medway residents to lead behaviour change on the roads and become ambassadors for responsible motoring. 

They’ll be encouraged to make the ‘road safety pledge’ which means they agree to:

• Drive sober – Drive free of alcohol or drugs 
• Drive slower – Reduce their speed
• Drive focussed – Not be distracted by their phone
• Drive secure – Always wear a seatbelt
• Drive alert –Take a break if they feel tired when driving

In return they’ll get a sticker to place in their vehicle as a permanent reminder of the pledge they’ve made, and a visual prompt for drivers around them to drive safely.

Firefighters will be on the look-out for pledge stickers in vehicle windows across the county, and those spotted will be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on vehicle care and maintenance.  

There will be opportunities to make the pledge at most KFRS events including the Kent County Show, which kicks off tomorrow (Friday), as well as fire station open days. Anyone who can’t make it to an event, can pledge online, however they won’t receive a vehicle sticker.  

Everyone who makes the pledge will be invited to test their knowledge through an online driving skills challenge. Through a series of interactive challenges, and before and after quizzes, the aim is to see if participants’ perspective and driving knowledge improves.  

Sean Bone Knell, KFRS Operations Director and National Fire Chiefs Council Road Safety Lead, said: “This is all about reducing crashes and preventing unnecessary injuries and deaths on our roads. By making the road safety pledge, drivers become ambassadors for responsible driving and can themselves influence and set an example to others. With pledge stickers being driven all around the county, we hope the need to drive safely will be prominent and be on the conscience of those being reckless on our roads.

 “There are five main elements which are deemed to have a potentially fatal impact on a journey – they’re known as the ‘fatal five’ – drink and drugs, not wearing a seatbelt, tiredness, speed, and mobile phone distraction.