National Road Safety week to be marked in Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets Council is marking Road Safety Week (November 17-23) with a range of activities to raise road safety awareness.
Brake, the road safety charity, is asking everyone to look out for each other on roads, because being selfish can easily lead to tragedy.
They are calling on drivers to protect people on foot and bike by slowing down to 20mph in communities, looking longer and taking it slow at junctions and bends, and giving people plenty of room.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “National road safety week is a chance for us all to consider our actions when out on the road. There is a call on everyone to put safety first encouraging people on foot and bike to never take chances, and make sure they can be seen.”
Cllr Shahed Ali, cabinet member for clean and green, added: “The council is kick starting a number of initiatives with schools, organisations and partners during Road Safety week including theatre work and a safety pack give-away.”
A programme of theatre productions will begin touring schools in the borough. A production for year 6 pupils, presented by Half Moon, focuses on being safe as they prepare for independent travel.
A separate production for year 8 pupils focuses on distractions and how it can cause serious injuries and possible death. Both performances are accompanied by workshop where pupils have an opportunity to discuss the issues raised.
Youth training organisation S.A.M.E Academy have been commissioned to provide workshops for year 9 to 11 on how to manage peer pressure and dangerous behaviour which can often lead to tragedy on the road.
Residents can pick up a free Incar safety information pack containing free tyre thread depth checker and child car seat height chart from Idea Stores and libraries during the week.
The Road Safety team will be out and about with the Met Police Safer Transport Division raising road safety awareness and providing advice to drivers dropping off children to tackle unsafe parking around schools.
For more information about getting involved in Road Safety week visit http://roadsafetyweek.org.uk
For further information on the Road Safety initiatives call Tower Hamlets Road Safety team on 020 7364 2221 or email road.safety@towerhamlets.gov.uk