One Decision: Reflecting on the road safety campaign
Throughout October, my One Decision road safety campaign has focused on the everyday choices we can all make to help keep ourselves and others safe on Dorset’s roads. From slowing down and putting our phones away to wearing a seatbelt and planning a safe journey home, the message has been simple: one decision could save a life.
Road collisions can have devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities. I have heard first-hand about the lasting impact these incidents can have, which is why improving road safety remains so important. The Government’s 2026 Road Safety Strategy states that around nine in ten collisions have human driver error as a contributory factor. While not every incident can be prevented, this underlines just how much our decisions on the road can matter.
Throughout the campaign, it has been encouraging to hear from people who have connected with the message behind One Decision. We have received comments from people who strongly agree with the importance of making safe choices on the road, alongside more personal reflections that bring home why this message matters.
One person shared how, despite living with intense pain, taking strong painkillers and driving is never worth the risk. It is a powerful reminder that making the right decision is not always about convenience, and that recognising when we are not fit to drive is an important part of keeping ourselves and others safe.
I have also heard from someone who shared their personal experience of losing a loved one in a road traffic collision. Experiences like this highlight the lasting impact these incidents can have on families and why we must continue to do everything we can to prevent avoidable harm on our roads.
Over the last month, the campaign has highlighted a number of practical steps that can help reduce risk on our roads.
Slowing down can save lives. Just 10mph can make a critical difference in a collision. A pedestrian struck at 20mph is around 40% more likely to survive than one struck at 30mph. Taking your time, adjusting your speed to the road conditions and allowing extra time for your journey can help protect everyone who uses our roads.
Put your phone away before you set off. Using a mobile phone while driving makes you four times more likely to be involved in a crash. A quick message or glance at a notification is not worth the risk. Putting your phone somewhere out of reach before starting your journey removes the temptation to look at it while driving.
Make sure everyone is wearing a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death for drivers by around 50%. It is a simple action that takes seconds, but it can make a life-saving difference. Before moving off, check that you and your passengers are properly buckled up.
Make a safe plan for getting home. If you are planning a night out and will be drinking alcohol, arrange a lift, use public transport or choose another safe way home rather than driving. The same principle applies to drugs and medication that can affect your ability to drive safely. Illegal drugs and driving do not mix, and prescribed medication can also impair your ability to drive. Always check the advice that comes with your medication and make sure you are fit to drive before setting off.
These are straightforward decisions, but they are not insignificant. They are practical steps we can all take to reduce risk and help prevent avoidable harm.
Road safety is about more than the person driving. Whether you are driving, riding a motorcycle, cycling, using an illegal e-scooter, walking or travelling as a passenger, we all have a part to play. Looking out for others, being aware of our surroundings and making responsible choices can help make our roads safer for everyone.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, I continue to support the work of Dorset Police’s Roads Policing Team, our Community Speed Watch volunteers and the many officers, staff and volunteers who work to improve road safety across the county. Their work plays a vital role in tackling dangerous driving, enforcing the law and educating road users about the risks their behaviour can create. You can read more about this work here.
But enforcement alone cannot make our roads safer. We also need people to take responsibility for their own decisions and recognise the impact those decisions can have on others.
As the One Decision campaign comes to a close, I want to encourage everyone to take these messages with them beyond October. Think about the choices you make every time you travel. Leave enough time for your journey. Keep your phone out of reach. Wear your seatbelt. Plan a safe way home. Never drive when drink, drugs or medication mean you are not fit to do so.
We cannot control every decision another road user makes, but we can control our own.
Every journey presents us with a choice. Make yours a safe one. Because one decision could be the difference between someone getting home safely and a family receiving a phone call that changes their lives forever.
One decision could save a life.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner